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Incident
Patrolman Ira Burgess was shot and killed when he and a police captain responded to reports of a man threatening to kill his wife at 1446 Willow Street. When they arrived at the man's house they began to take cover but the man came out with a shotgun and opened fire. Patrolman Burgess was shot as he attempted to draw his pistol. The suspect was then shot and killed by a city workhouse guard who was supervising a nearby work crew. Patrolman Burgess had served with the Kingsport Police Department for five years and had previously served as a part-time deputy for the Hawkins County Sheriff's Office for 16 years.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
21 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Burgess gave the Kingsport Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Kingsport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Burgess.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kingsport Police Department has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Ira is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Ira is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ira is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1950, 2 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1950, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1950, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ira was 48. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Ira had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Ira 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. Ira had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ira was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ira had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 8.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Tuesdays: 13.1%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Kingsport Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 12.7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Kingsport Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Ira among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Kingsport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
