Prev
Incident
Officer Burroughs was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call on Westfield Street. While at the scene he became engaged in a struggle with the suspect who beat him with a board and flower pot before shooting him in the abdomen. Within a few days the suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. In 1923 his sentence was commuted to life. Officer Burroughs had been with the agency for 12 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqf8wqqxrwvmen39d5vb- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew George. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Burroughs gave the Greenville Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Burroughs.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Greenville Police Department has lost 12 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
George is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
George is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
George 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 1921, 1 officer at Greenville Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1919, with 2.
In 1921, 6 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
George was 48. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Greenville Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 43. George had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
George was 48. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. George had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
George was 48. 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. George had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. George had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 27.3% of these deaths at Greenville Police Department, more than any other month. Fridays: 27.3%.
May holds 9.9% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Fridays: 15.4%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 91.7% of all 12 deaths at Greenville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 54.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 17.3% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Greenville Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, George among them.
-
James Patrick Tucker
Apr 13, 1904
-
Oliver S. Gunnels Feb 17, 1911
-
James Earl Holcombe
May 30, 1915
-
Alford M. Blair
Oct 5, 1919
-
Joseph H. Kitchen
Oct 5, 1919
-
George Staples Burroughs May 6, 1921
-
Arthur F. Lackey
Mar 4, 1925
-
Absolom Blythe Hunt
May 1, 1932
-
William Frank Chasteen
Feb 21, 1971
-
Mathew Montgomery Beacham, Jr.
Sep 20, 1983
-
James Russell Sorrow
Sep 19, 1996
-
Allen Lee Jacobs
Mar 18, 2016
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Greenville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
