Officer Don Joseph Burt, California Highway Patrol, California

Officer Don Joseph Burt

California Highway Patrol, California

End of Watch Saturday, July 13, 1996

Add to My Heroes

Don Joseph Burt

Officer Don Burt was shot and killed while making a traffic stop on Nutwood Avenue in Fullerton at 8:30 p.m.

Officer Burt was impounding the vehicle after discovering that the driver was driving on a suspended license. As he was searching the trunk, he found forged payroll checks and counterfeit traveler's checks. When he went to question the suspect, the man produced a 9 mm handgun and shot him six times. While lying on the ground, the suspect stole his weapon and keys and then shot him execution-style in the head.

The suspect stole his patrol car and fled the scene. He was eventually located and apprehended in Houston, Texas. The suspect pleaded guilty to federal murder-for-hire charges after an attempt to have witnesses and the deputy district attorney in the case murdered. As a result of that plea agreement, he also pleaded guilty to the murder of Officer Burt and, on June 23, 2000, was sentenced to death.

Officer Burt had served with the California Highway Patrol for just over 1 year. Officer Burt's wife gave birth to their son on September 22, 1996, two months after his murder. His father also served with the California Highway Patrol, and his father-in-law and brother-in-law were law enforcement officers in California.

Bio

Age 25
Tour 1 year, 3 months
Badge 13892

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; 9 mm
Offender Sentenced to death

convicted felon, traffic stop

LODD Mapping FAQs

Most Recent Reflection

View all 81 Reflections

My name is Eric, and I was one of the emergency crews that ran that call that night. I was the one photographed on the front page of the OC Register looking down at Don. We did everything we could to save Don. My brother was also a law enforcement officer at that time, so this hit me very hard and was ultimately the reason I never pursued my career in law enforcement. I attended his funeral as with so many others that day. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about that night. I keep telling myself that I could have done more. The guilt was overwhelming, and, in the end, I would wind up becoming a theologian searching for peace and solace in a world of death and destruction. My heart goes out to all of Don’s family, and I would like to meet his family one day. I think that this would give me the peace I’ve been searching for.
God bless you all.
Eric Pinion

Eric Pinion EMT
Emergency Medical Technician (American Medical Response)

March 3, 2025