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Incident
Guard Hervey Burnham was stabbed to death by an inmate in an unprovoked attack at the Vermont State Prison in Windsor. The inmate was walking in the main corridor of the prison when he suddenly attacked Guard Burnham without warning and stabbed him with a potato knife. Other guards were able to subdue the inmate and place him in solitary confinement. The 17-year-old inmate was found to be insane and committed to the Vermont State Hospital. He was removed to a nearby nursing home in the 1980s, where he died from COPD on September 27, 1989. Officer Burnham had served at the Vermont State Prison for two years. He had previously served as the Doorkeeper at the Vermont Capitol for four years, as overseer of the poor, as a deputy sheriff in Chittenden County, and as a state traffic officer for five additional years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and mother.
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.
Guard Burnham gave the Vermont Department of Corrections 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Vermont. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Burnham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Vermont Department of Corrections has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Hervey is one of 12 officers killed feloniously in VT, 38.7% of the 31 remembered there.
Hervey is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Hervey is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1935, 1 officer in VT was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Hervey was 56. Of the 12 killed feloniously in VT whose age is recorded, half were between 43.8 and 52.3; the middle age was 46.5. Hervey had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 17.5 years.
Hervey was 56. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Hervey had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Hervey was 56. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Hervey had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 33.3% of these deaths in VT, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 16.7%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Vermont Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 38.7% of all 31 deaths in VT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 8.3% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Vermont Department of Corrections has 4 officers remembered here, Hervey among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Vermont Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
