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Mark Jason Burbridge
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Mark Burbridge was shot and killed at the Pottawattamie County Jail in Council Bluffs as he and another deputy returned two inmates to the jail after a court appearance.
As the deputies began to take the inmates into the jail, one of the inmates attacked him after using a concealed key to remove his shackles. The inmate obtained a firearm from the van and shot both deputies. He then stole the transport van and fled from the jail. He shot a citizen nearby when he attempted to carjack the man. He then abducted another citizen and forced her to drive him from the scene in her vehicle.
The subject was located by Omaha, Nebraska, police officers after releasing the woman. After a high-speed pursuit, he was taken into custody and charged with numerous felonies related to carjacking and weapons possession. The man had just been sentenced to 55 years in prison after pleading guilty to murder.
On August 15th, 2017, the man was sentenced to life in prison for Deputy Burbridge's murder and related charges.
Deputy Burbridge had served with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office for 12 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, his mother, two brothers, and a sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Burbridge gave the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Council Bluffs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Burbridge.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Mark is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Mark is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Mark is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2017, 1 officer in IA was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 2017, 59 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2017, 64 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 125th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Mark was 43. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Mark had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Mark was 43. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Mark had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mark was 43. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Mark had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 3.9% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Mondays: 14.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Mark among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
