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Incident
Chief of Police James Burnett succumbed to injuries sustained three days earlier when his patrol car was struck head-on by another vehicle. The chief was returning a prisoner to the city from the county courthouse when the accident occurred. The prisoner and the driver of the other vehicle were both killed instantly. Chief Burnett had served with the Guin Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
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.
Chief of Police Burnett gave the Guin Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Guin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Burnett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Guin Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
James is one of 182 officers lost to accidents in AL, 28.3% of the 643 remembered there.
James is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1941, 3 officers in AL were lost to accidents, the 14th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 6.
In 1941, 68 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1941, 90 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 54. Of the 160 lost to accidents in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47.3; the middle age was 36.5. James had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
James was 54. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. James had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 54. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. James had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 13.2% of these deaths in AL, more than any other month. Thursdays: 10.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Guin Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28.3% of all 643 deaths in AL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Guin Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Guin Police Department are honored on badge.nw.