Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Chief Burton, may the Lord grant you peace and reward you abundantly for your long selfless service. May He immerse you and your family in His Divine Mercy. Rest in peace in the loving arms of our Lord.

Jess Espinosa
Civilian

October 2, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you for your sacrifice and service. Thoughts and prayers for your family, friends and coworkers.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

October 2, 2018

On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, our thoughts and prayers are with the immediate family of Chief of Police Lonnie Verdell Burton and the extended law enforcement family of the Wayland Baptist University Police Department, Texas.

End of Watch Monday, June 25, 2018.

Rest in Peace brother and watch over us. We will protect and serve from here on in your memory.

I fight not for glory or fame, for they are momentary. I fight for those who can't. I fight for Justice. I fight for the oppressed and the down trodden. And if I should lose my life for these just causes, then I have no regrets, For I serve to protect the innocent. It matters not where or when, for evil knows no boundaries. Be it fire, flood, or the threat of tyranny, I will not flee. Justice is my weapon. Faith is my shield. Hope is my armor. Cry not at my passing, for it was my Honor to fight for you. Shed not tears of sorrow, But tears of joy, for now, I stand with God.

By Jon F. Hooper

"Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

October 2, 2018

God rest his soul.

Sgt. Robert A. Henne
Jersey City PD/Retired

October 2, 2018

Final Salute Chief of Police Burton. Thank you for your service. You are a hero. Rest peacefully in the presence of God. We are praying for the family and fellow officers.

Former Patrol Sergeant
Johnny Allison
Wylie TX Police Dept

October 2, 2018

"The Final Inspection"
The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep....
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't.....I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."
Author Unknown

Sergeant Chad Miner
Powell Police department
Powell, Wyoming

October 2, 2018

On behalf of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard, we send our deepest sympathies and condolences. R.I.P. Chief Burton, may God bless you and keep you. May God comfort your family and friends and all our brothers and sisters with the Wayland Baptist University Police Department. May God wrap you in his loving arms and grant your family and friends strength, comfort and peace during this difficult time. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers my brother and please know that you and your service will never be forgotten. " Fidelis Ad Mortem " my brother, we have the watch from here.

Corporal James Barth
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard, Tampa, Fla.

October 2, 2018

Farewell Lt. The fairest supervisor I’ve ever worked for. God speed sir.

kent smith : fmr patrol
plainview pd

October 1, 2018

A Prayer for Chief of Police Lonnie V. Burton:

Lord God of mercy, peace, and love, we remember before Your throne in this moment our Brother-in-Blue, Chief of Police Lonnie V. Burton, of the Wayland Baptist University, Texas Police Department, who sacrificed his life in the Line-of-Duty. We recall with gratitude and respect all that he stood for in this life. Help us to live in the companionship of his spirit. May we be kind to the family, friends, and colleagues he loved; devoted to the university and state in which he served; and loyal to the causes which he championed in law enforcement. Thus, in our life, may he live on, to our great comfort, to the betterment of Your creation, and to the furthering of Your most Holy Will.

Heavenly Father, be with the family, friends, and colleagues of this fallen hero. Comfort them and give them Your strength. Guide those who seek to take care of the family of this hero. May those empowered to do so, care for them with integrity. In commemorating the death of this hero, help those who mourn to remember that death is not the end. Death does not have the final say, but is simply the transition to the glorious life to come. They should look forward to that life to come with joy and thanksgiving.

Almighty God, we ask that you grant us a deeper appreciation of the efforts of all law enforcement officers who serve our communities, states, and country daily. For their dedication to our security, order and peace, we give You thanks. May they be encouraged in their work which benefits us all. Help us to grow that spirit of community that will make their job both easy and fulfilling. And now may our fellowship together and Your blessing today bring a renewed sense of joy to each of us. Amen.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons [children] of God." [Matthew 5:9 ESV]

"Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends." [John 15:13 ESV]

Chaplain Steven Robert Closs, D. Div., M.S.B.S., B.S.B.S.
Ordained & Licensed Independent Christian Minister
Ministry: The Law Enforcement Chaplaincy
Chaplain: Merrimack NH Police Department [Since 2014]
Chaplain: Nashua NH Police Department [Since 2018]
Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Captain Steven R. Closs (Retired)
Nashua NH Police Department

October 1, 2018

On behalf of POINT 27, we would like to offer condolences for Chief Lonnie V. Burton. Please know we are eternally grateful for Chief Burton’s service and his ultimate sacrifice.

To honor Chief Burton, POINT 27 sent 27 Thin Blue Line Dog Tag Necklaces, engraved with “Blessed are the Peacemakers for they will be called children of God” Matthew 5:9, to the Wayland Baptist University Police Chief for Chief Burton’s fellow officers. POINT 27 sent Folded Flag Necklaces engraved with “Greater Love has no one than this; than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend” John 15:13 for Chief Burton’s family.

POINT 27 is a Non-Profit organization with a mission to strengthen and encourage members of the Armed Forces, First Responders, and their families, by sharing scripture on Dog Tags and Jewelry called Shields of Strength.

We will never forget and we are forever grateful.

Respectfully,

Colonel David Dodd,
United States Army Retired
POINT 27

Jerry M. Rhodes
Detective, Dallas Police Department Retired
Law Enforcement Outreach
POINT 27

Jerry M. Rhodes
Dallas Police Department (retired)

October 1, 2018

Rest in peace brother. Thank you for your service. God's speed sir.

Lieutenant John C. Moore
Wisconsin State Conservation Warden

October 1, 2018

Psalm 15
God bless.
Rest in peace brother.

Sgt. Paul Schanno
Minnesota Dept. of Corrections MCF-Stillwater

October 1, 2018

Rest in peace, Chief Burton. You have earned your rest.

Stan Jefferson
Citizen of Arizona

October 1, 2018

Rest, brother.

PFC Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

October 1, 2018

Thank you for your service.

Dmytro Goloborodko

October 1, 2018

So sorry for your loss.

Teri McPhail
Civiliam

October 1, 2018

Rest in Peace, you've earned it!

Ptl. Bryan Waltz (Ret)
Avon Lake OH PD

October 1, 2018

Rest easy Brother, Thank you for your service. You won’t be forgotten.

Blessed are the peacemakers: For they shall be called the children of God.

Matthew 5:9

Jerry Matalone #8046 (Retired)
Des Moines Iowa Police Department

October 1, 2018

Wonderful man with a huge heart!! Will be sorely missed by this community.

Deputy
Hale County Sheriff's Office

October 1, 2018

Burton family and friends may God grant you all with a speedy healing. Chief Burton thank you for your many years of loyal service to your Community and to your Department. Its amazing how a freak accident of this nature can take a life. I am sure your years of leadership has taught many others along the way Core Values that they will carry on with them forever. Take charge from above.

Res.Sgt.Rudy Jones
Cuyahoga Falls Police,Ohio

October 1, 2018

Brother, as we all suffer from one ailment or another, we never realize that, what may seem trivial can be anything but. Your efforts to set up the Police Department at a University must have been a tough job, but then again, you are located in Texas, NOT Massachusetts. Texans have a better grasp on reality than Massachusetts folks, especially academics. I admire your work and dedication and honor your life here.

God Bless you, Chief Burton and may you forever Rest in Peace.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Department

October 1, 2018

Great officer and an excellent man!

Deputy Mark Brown
Hale County Sheriff's Office

October 1, 2018

Rest in peace Chief Burton!
You will not be forgotten!

Willie Bell Hopewell VA!
Friend Of All Law Enforcement Officers!

October 1, 2018

The men & women of the Abilene Police Department extend our condolences to your community during this difficult time. We are grateful for the service of Chief Burton.

Beth Reeves, Chaplain
Abilene Police Department

October 1, 2018

Praying special photographs and memories will be of some comfort to his family, friends, and those with whom he served and protected.

Kathleen Phillips-Hellman
My nephew is a LEO.

October 1, 2018