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Incident
At approximately 4:00 p.m., Deputy Sheriff Lee D. Burgess had just arrested an intoxicated Percy Yeager. Deputy Burgess was taking Yeager to jail in Denison, Texas. On the way to the jail they walked past Yeager's house. Yeager attempted to go into his house. Deputy Burgess had to fight Yeager, and knock Yeager down with his "billy club." Deputy Burgess then leaned over to pick up Yeager. Deputy Burgess fell over and died from a heart attack.
An investigation was conducted to see if Deputy Burgess had been hit in the head with a rock. Doctors determined that Burgess had suffered from heart problems and died from a heart attack. No death certificate was ever made.
Percy Yeager was never prosecuted for the death of Burgess. However, three years later, in 1909, Yeager was charged with robbery. The robbery case was dismissed several weeks later. Burgess was survived by his wife and five year old daughter. He was buried in Block 20, Lot West 1/2 of 64, in Fairview Cemetery, Denison, Texas.
Percy Yeager was never prosecuted for the death of Burgess. However, three years later, in 1909, Yeager was charged with robbery. The robbery case was dismissed several weeks later.
Burgess was survived by his wife and five year old daughter. He was buried in Block 20, Lot West 1/2 of 64, in Fairview Cemetery, Denison, Texas.
Survivors
Burgess was survived by his wife and five year old daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Burgess served with the Grayson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Sherman community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Burgess.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Grayson County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
Lee is one of 88 officers lost to cardiac events in TX, 3.6% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Lee is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Lee is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1906, 1 officer in TX was lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 53 years on record. The heaviest was 1978, with 4.
In 1906, 3 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 100th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1906, 3 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 100th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Lee was 36. Of the 84 lost to cardiac events in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 42.8 and 57; the middle age was 50.
Lee was 36. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48.
Lee was 36. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48.
When
December holds 12.5% of these deaths in TX; October holds the most, 12.5%. Fridays: 15.9%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 33.3% of all 6 deaths at Grayson County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.6% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Grayson County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Lee among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Grayson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
