Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch Tuesday, December 12, 1995
Add to My HeroesJoseph Bruce Burtner
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. He is survived by his wife.
Bio
- Age 23
- Tour 6 months
- Badge 5552
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Rifle; AK-47
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 44 ReflectionsRest in peace Officer Burtner.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
November 15, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths
Detective Clarence E. Word, III
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: October 1, 2024
Trooper Corey S. Thompsen
Illinois State Police, IL
EOW: October 18, 2024
Detective Maurice "Mo" Joseph
Norfolk Police Department, VA
EOW: October 9, 2024
Corrections Officer Bradford D. McNew
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: October 12, 2024
Corporal Raymond Kuuchi
United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police Services, US
EOW: September 2, 2024
Park Ranger Kevin Melvin Grossheim
United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service, US
EOW: October 6, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Lex Allen Love
Wise County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: October 2, 2024
Deputy Constable Ruben Garcia
Cameron County Constable's Office - Precinct 1, TX
EOW: September 30, 2024
Trooper Kevin Alexis Ramirez-Vasquez
Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, TX
EOW: September 28, 2024