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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Theron Burnham was shot and killed after being dispatched to investigate a kidnapping near the Lakeland Regional Airport. A young couple had given a stranger a ride. When near the airport, the man produced a pistol, ordered the couple to stop, and then ordered the man to get out of the car. The woman fled from the scene in the car and called police. As Deputy Burnhman responded to the scene, he spotted the suspect walking along Drane Field Road at Industry Boulevard. The man shot and killed Deputy Burnham as he tried to detain him at about 4:00 a.m. Other responding deputies exchanged gunfire with the man, who was arrested the following day following a massive manhunt. Deputy Burnham's body was found in a ditch along Drane Field Road, and the body of the man he ordered out of the car was found nearby. The subject was sentenced to death after three trials. He died in prison in 2023. Deputy Burnham had served with the Polk County Sheriff's Office for nine years and had previously served with the Winter Haven Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife 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.
Deputy Sheriff Burnham gave the Polk County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Winter Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Burnham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Polk County Sheriff's Department has lost 18 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Theron is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Theron is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Theron 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 1981, 1 officer at Polk County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1981, 8 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1981, 126 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 39th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1981, 152 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Theron was 27. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Polk County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.5; the middle age was 39. Theron had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
Theron was 27. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Theron had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Theron was 27. 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. Theron had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Theron was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Theron had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 28.6% of these deaths at Polk County Sheriff's Department; September holds the most, 42.9%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 9.7% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Fridays: 13.2%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 38.9% of all 18 deaths at Polk County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 42.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Polk County Sheriff's Department has 18 officers remembered here, Theron among them.
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Oliver Thomas Smith Jan 16, 1922
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J. Edward Harrelson
Dec 21, 1926
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Frank Dixon Sep 22, 1932
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Leon Alexander Bernard
Apr 9, 1963
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Paul Andrew Powell
May 26, 1967
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Sollie Waller Rabun, Jr.
Mar 3, 1974
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Theron Anthony Burnham
Jan 9, 1981
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Waymon Dee Allen
Mar 15, 1987
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David Michael Goddard
Feb 2, 1989
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Larry Willis Rhoden
Oct 22, 2001
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Gene Brian Wilkinson
Oct 22, 2001
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Vernon Matthew Williams
Sep 28, 2006
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Ronnie O'Neal Brown
Sep 8, 2009
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Wesley Richard Whitmore, Jr.
Dec 12, 2010
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Joseph Robbins
Apr 26, 2013
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Ricky Carlton Anderson
Feb 21, 2016
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Christopher Broadhead
Aug 23, 2021
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Blane Lane
Oct 4, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Polk County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
