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Incident
Officer Joseph Burtner was shot and killed after he had responded to a suicide call. He was ambushed by the man with an AK-47 after entering the house to check on his well-being. The suspect had left a suicide message as the greeting on his own answering machine and the police were notified after it was heard. Officer Burtner entered the house after 30 minutes of knocking on the door and other means of attention-getting. He attempted a forced entry with the approval of his sergeant and lieutenant, who were both at the scene. The suspect claimed self-defense and stated that he thought his house was being burglarized. The suspect was convicted of manslaughter, four counts of attempted murder, one count of armed robbery and sentenced to six consecutive life terms in prison. Officer Burtner had served with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office for six months.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Burtner served with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jacksonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Burtner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has lost 30 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1995, 2 officers at Jacksonville Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1995, 2 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 93rd heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1995, 96 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 58th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1995, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 23. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Jacksonville Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 26.5 and 50; the middle age was 33. Joseph had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Joseph was 23. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Joseph was 23. 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. Joseph had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 23. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 9.1% of these deaths at Jacksonville Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 27.3%. Tuesdays: 18.2%.
December holds 9.3% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Tuesdays: 14.9%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 36.7% of all 30 deaths at Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 18.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 6.7% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has 30 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
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David Henry Reese
Feb 28, 1970
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James Homer Moon
Sep 27, 1971
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Edward James Parker
Feb 6, 1972
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Glenn A. Rainey, Sr.
Aug 23, 1974
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Michael David Stewart
Apr 27, 1975
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Ronald Dale Florence
Jan 8, 1979
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Fred L. Lucy
Jan 8, 1979
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Charles A. Thompson, III Jan 8, 1979
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Martin Edward Slater
Feb 21, 1981
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Thomas Joseph Szafranski
May 24, 1981
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Frederick Albert McCall Feb 7, 1982
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Gary Bevel
May 17, 1983
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Jeffrey Norman Ritchey
Feb 23, 1987
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Charles Ray Shinholser, Jr.
Dec 14, 1988
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Warren Corway Sanders
Jul 26, 1990
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Fred G. Lampe
May 2, 1994
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Lonnie C. Miller, Sr.
May 6, 1995
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Ira Wayne Bramlitt
May 22, 1995
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Joseph Bruce Burtner
Dec 12, 1995
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James Ward
Oct 17, 1996
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John Lee Butler, Sr.
Mar 10, 1997
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Michael Harley Boynton
Oct 9, 1998
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Wilbert Wiggins, Sr.
Nov 8, 2002
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Scott Eric Bell
Oct 12, 2007
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Christopher Michael Kane
Sep 4, 2008
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Mark Hayden Larson
Mar 24, 2014
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Lance Christian Whitaker
May 15, 2018
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Christopher Michael Cunningham, Sr.
Aug 5, 2020
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Louis Michael Livatino
Jan 27, 2021
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Bradford D. McNew
Oct 12, 2024
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
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