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Incident
Deputy Burns was shot and killed while he and four other deputies destroyed a large still of illegal whiskey. A man hidden in the woods opened fire on the deputies with a rifle and a shotgun, fatally wounding Deputy Burns. Deputy Burns was shot in the back several times.
The suspect was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life, He was paroled on November 19, 1934.
Deputy Burns had been with the agency for ten years and was survived by his wife and five children.
Survivors
Deputy Burns had been with the agency for ten years and was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Burns gave the McCurtain County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Idabel community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Burns.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
McCurtain County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1927, 1 officer at McCurtain County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 2.
In 1927, 11 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 40. Of the 7 killed feloniously at McCurtain County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 40.5 and 50; the middle age was 44. John had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 7.5 years.
John was 40. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. John had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 40. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 25% of these deaths at McCurtain County Sheriff's Office; August holds the most, 37.5%. Tuesdays: 12.5%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 12.7%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 8 deaths at McCurtain County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.7% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
McCurtain County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from McCurtain County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
