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Lonnie Verdell Burton
Incident
Chief of Police Lonnie Burton succumbed to complications of a knee injury sustained on May 18th, 2018, when he fell from a curb in front of the Wayland Baptist University police station in Plainview, Texas.
The injury required Chief Burton to undergo knee surgery. He died as a result of complications of the surgery.
Chief Burton was instrumental in the formation of the Wayland Baptist University Police Department and had served with the agency for nine years. He had previously served with the Plainview Police Department for 32 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, son, three grandchildren, and father.
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
41 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Burton gave the Wayland Baptist University Police Department 41 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Plainview community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Burton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Lonnie is the only officer of Wayland Baptist University Police Department remembered here.
Lonnie is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Lonnie is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Lonnie is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2018, 4 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 76th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 2018, 50 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 96th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2018, 52 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 101st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Lonnie was 64. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Lonnie had served 41 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Lonnie was 64. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Lonnie had served 41 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lonnie was 64. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Lonnie had served 41 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Mondays: 12.8%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Wayland Baptist University Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Wayland Baptist University Police Department are honored on badge.nw.