Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Chief Burton, it's now been 3 years. I pray you are still at rest. God Bless you, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Department

June 25, 2021

Chief, a year has now passed since your tragic passing. I pray that you are resting well and that those who miss you the most, are, on this day, comforted by your presence in their hearts and minds. God Bless, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Department

June 25, 2019

Rest in peace Chief of Police Burton.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 24, 2019

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

April 27, 2019

We will remember.

Mr. Christian Vance
Civilian Supporter of Law Enforcement

March 29, 2019

We will remember.

Miss Eleanore Trupkiewicz
Civilian Supporter of Law Enforcement

December 3, 2018

Chief, may all your many crowns shine bright in Heaven. If you see my Dad, Retired Chief of Police, Wake Village, Texas shot twice in head but survived until 8 years ago,...give him a hug.

Sandra Jackson
Daughter of Chief of Police, shot 2 in head, and sister to LEO'S

October 9, 2018

With Deepest Sympathy!

R. A. Robinson
Retired Deputy Chief Of Police

October 9, 2018

The true measure of a person
is not found in the
might of their arm,
their wealth
or their power –
it is found in the strength
of their character.

There is no greater testimony to
ones character, than ones
willingness to sacrifice all,
in the noble quest of
providing protection to all
whom they serve.

Javier Cornejo, Police Officer, Retired
City of Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee WI

October 8, 2018

Rest in Peace Chief Burton. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and Prayers go out to your family, coworkers and friends.

Lieutenant Robert T. Mote (ret)
Buena Park, CA Police Department

October 8, 2018

Rest in peace Chief Burton, my sincere condolences to your family and to your department. God speed as you now patrol the streets of gold. Your ultimate sacrifice of 41 years will not be forgotten.

TERRY ZECH, OFC(RET)
DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS POLICE DEPARTMENT DETROIT MICHIGAN

October 6, 2018

Rest in Peace Chief Burton. Thank you for your Service.
My Prayers to your Family both blood and blue.

Deputy Terri Albright, #668
DuPage County Sheriff's Office

October 5, 2018

Rest in peace sir, we'll take it from here.

Deputy Donnie Meaders
Okfuskee County (OK) Sheriff's Office

October 5, 2018

Rest in peace Chief Lonnie Burton. You are a true hero.

Jamie D Davis
Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office

October 4, 2018

R.I.P Chief of Police Lonnie Burton

BRIAN MOLYNEAUX Civilian
citizen

October 4, 2018

AVENUE OF THE FALLEN…

Standing at attention in their class “A“ uniforms,
badges gleaming and shoes like glass, are your brothers and sisters of Law Enforcement.
All of whom have previously paid the ultimate price.
Today, like many others, they welcome you to this wonderful place.
As you march down the Avenue of the Fallen, all eyes focus on you as if to say “it’s OK, you’re with your eternal partners.”
A salute is followed and a tear can be seen on so many faces.
Welcome, you served well.
Now come join us in the ranks, another is coming home…

This inspiring poem was written by Jim Weaver, a retired LAPD Officer and former Idaho Sheriff. It is submitted with his full support and approval. We feel ceremonies such as this actually occur in the Heavenly Realm. We can all gain a glimpse at… ImagineHeaven.net …with the faith building book by Pastor John Burke, and his NDE interviews with credible individuals granted such Near Death Experiences. Both my Pastor and Family Doctors feel many such instances are fully valid. Indeed, “Do nor fear…for it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom” (Luke 12:32). May the Family, Friends and Department be comforted as Magnificent Reunions truly await all Christians!

Joe Lanier
A former Asst. Chief with the Jasper Texas PD

October 4, 2018

Thank you for your dedicated service Police Chief Lonnie V. Burton. My condolences go out to your family, friends and the Wayland Baptist University Police Department. May you rest in eternal peace.

PSO A. Marwaha
Campus Public Safety

October 4, 2018

To the family of Chief of Police Lonnie Verdell Burton, friends, and the Wayland Baptist University Police Department.
You are lifted up in though and prayers. May God comfort, hold you close and give you His peace that surpasses all understanding through Christ Jesus now and always. Thank you for your many years of service. "Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9

Patrolman A.S. Batson
Cherry / O'Berry Police Department, NC

October 4, 2018

A police officer should be remembered not by how he died, but how he lived! A great man has gone to secure a safe path for the rest of us to follow. Thank you to you, your family and the Wayland Baptist University Police Department. Our country is a little less safe without you. Rest in Peace Brother!

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH

October 4, 2018

God Bless You, Your Family, & Friends.
Thank you for your unselfish service.

James Waggle
Civilian

October 4, 2018

REST-IN-PEACE Chief

Anrae Godley-Cooper
U.S. Army Military Police

October 4, 2018

May God be with you Chief Burton. You died doing the job you loved. Thank you for your service.

Ret. Officer JR Neary
East Los Angeles, CA

October 4, 2018

Chief Lonnie BURTON, thank you for living your life as a witness to God's love for His earthly sons and daughters. Our praise and sincere condolences to your loving family, friends, students of Wayland Baptist University, the children of College Heights Baptist Church where you taught as a Sunday school teacher, and especially to the Plainview Police and Wayland Baptist Police Departments. God speed Lonnie !

another grateful civilian

October 2, 2018

Rest in Peace Chief Burton. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and prayers are with the Burton Family and the Wayland Baptist University Police Department.

Cpl. Gary Hughes (Retired)
Passaic County Sheriff's Office
Wayne, New Jersey

October 2, 2018

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whose blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell

Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 2, 2018