Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

As my prayers of thanks for your life and service go out tonight, I also remember your mother, who is having to navigate these difficult days of flood damage. I have had the honor of meeting her in the past and know her to be a strong woman. I saw your sister on the news, showing relief and pride that your uniform was recovered. Surrounded by the support of Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD and Charlotte citizens that still remember and appreciate your service, I trust your family will get through this. They have shown the ability to get through worse. Time passes and the world moves on, but know you and Andy Nobles are still remembered, still mourned, and still appreciated.

NC Officer

October 5, 2024

Officer Burnette,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Charlotte-Meckenlenburg. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 5, 2023

Unbelievably, it has been 30 years ago tonight since your "incident". I say "incident" in that other descriptors such as "loss", "death" or "murder", somehow don't seem applicable, for as long as the example you and Andy Nobles set in your fidelity to service is carried by the rest of us, a piece of the two of you continues to contribute. I do mourn the cost you paid regarding your future, and on nights such as this, wonder what you could have accomplished in both your personal and professional life during these past 30 years. And I mourn all the things you aspired to do but were cheated out of, 30 years ago tonight. I trust you know how much you and your contributions mattered to Charlotte and to our profession, and I pray you know that after 30 years, you and your life still matter.

NC Officer

October 5, 2023

October 5th is a particularly dark day for North Carolina law enforcement. ODMP cites seven who gave their all for the Tarheel state on this day of the year. We lost your partner, Officer Andy Nobles, along with you that horrible evening, further compounding our grief. Your incident also revived the nightmare we endured nineteen years earlier when on another violent and tragic October 5th night, we lost two members of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. All seven of you share not just an end of watch date, but a fidelity to service. The fabric of our profession was strengthened by the contributions you made, and weakened by your loss.

NC Officer

October 5, 2022

Police Officer John Thomas Burnette will always be remembered. RIP sir.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"

August 18, 2022

Another year passes. So much of the world and our profession has changed since October 5, 1993. I sit here tonight and think of all we were cheated for having lost you. You accomplished so much in your all too brief life and career, that one can only mournfully wonder what could have been. As it is, the bar you and Andy set for the rest in our profession is high in and of itself and we do well to strive for it daily. You mattered, and you are missed.

NC Officer

October 5, 2021

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

October 5, 2020

Another year we equally mourn your passing and celebrate your life and service. Your legacy continues to be that of a life that mattered. Thanks.

NC Officer

October 5, 2020

In the Community Policing video highlighting your life and death, as well as that of Andy Nobles, your mother relates telling people: "I'm John Burnette's mother, and I know they don't really care, but I tell them anyway". I had the privilege of meeting your mother at the N.C. Police Memorial Day Service at Duke University Chapel some years ago. I told her how all the officers in our department watched that video as part of their in-service training, and that I wanted to let her know that in regards to that statement, we cared that she was John Burnette's mother! I had a wonderful conversation with her about you and a short time after she walked away, she found me again and gave me the "baseball" cards of you and Andy Nobles that she had retrieved from her car. I cherish that conversation with your mother, and the cards have been prominently displayed in my various offices ever since. It is literally 26 years to the hour that we lost you and Andy. As sad as it is to think of who we lost at the time, it is even more sad to think of what we've lost in the years since. What would you have gone on to do? Thanks for keeping the faith, and for the sacrifice you made in your service to your community and to our profession. God Bless You, John Burnette.

NC Officer

October 5, 2019

Wow! It's been 25 years, but I remember it like it was yesterday! You and I had just met at the playground the weekend before, with Sarge, to paint the playground equipment at the little park that would eventually be named after you and Andy. You talked nonstop about what you were doing in the neighborhood and I remember wishing I had just a little of your enthusiasm and zest for the job. You were such a baby, but with big dreams and plans for your little piece of the great city of Charlotte. And you and Andy made a difference. Many of us will never forget you until we pass on from this world and see you again in Heaven.

S. Kendall
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police-Retired

October 5, 2019

I’ve always been fascinated in a morbid way by crime—kind of like a car crash I can’t always look away from. I was born Tuesday, October 5, 1993; I just googled any murders that may have happened that day. To see that two officers were killed breaks my heart; that this man was 25 is eerie, because I’m 25 right now. Little synchronicities always make me wonder about this life... I just wanted to pay my respects, having stumbled upon this tragedy that unfolded as I entered the world. Birth and death... every day is someone’s greatest or worst around the globe. Humbling to think about. My condolences to everyone who loved this man and the other officer. It warms my heart that there are still recent entries by others on here, remembering them.

Madeline
fate

September 12, 2019

John I can’t believe it has been that long since you left us. I knew you when you were a little boy playing with my brother. You, my brother and another friend grew up to be great friends. I always thought of you guys as the 3 Musketeers. I still get tiered up when I think about that night and the days to follow. Our family loved you like you were our own. Now as my son n law puts on that uniform each day it makes me worry about his and others safety. I pray that at the end of his and every other CMPD officers, all the other Law efforcement officers and First responders returns home to his family. RIP John

Tina
Friend

July 2, 2019

Rest in peace Officer Burnette.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 27, 2019

Never forget this horrible nite. I was driving home after working at a softball park for Parks & Rec. I still cannot make sense of how this happened to these young officers. I remember reading about the Alden Harden smiling in the car that transported him to Raleigh to begin his wait on death row. Made me sick. It has been 25 years - when will his sentence be carried out ?

Richard
Meck. Co. Park & Rec

July 7, 2018

I remember this; I was working at Mercy hospital and I was in college at UNC Charlotte. My dad was head of security at the hospital. The mother of the awful man who shot them was admitted during the trial w/ "heart problems." As part of my father's job he had to use his name instead of hers as being the patient so that the press would not hound her. I'm sure it was hard for her but not as hard as the family of those fallen officers. I think about them often.

Jennie
1971

March 30, 2017

I love you now as much as I loved you then. 105 Baby.

amy

February 20, 2017

John, I loved you then and I love you now. Always, Amy....105 baby.

Amy Morrish

January 30, 2017

Officer Burnette. You may be forgotten by most. Someone else will take your spot. You took an oath that many never will. Your ultimate sacrifice will be remembered by your brothers and sisters in blue that remain behind. In spite of all that is said and done, remember that you ended your watch on earth but you need to start it at the gates of heaven because your watch never ends. When I leave this earth, I will join you up there brother. God bless you.

Patrol Officer Rodrigo Ruiz
Laredo Police Dept. Laredo, Texas

December 8, 2016

I was a teenager when this tragedy occurred. I remember it well. It certainly was a difficult time for Charlotte and law enforcement abroad. Hard to believe it has been more than 23 years! Miss you, Anthony & John.

Michael Lavoie

November 16, 2016

After the sad news about the killings of the Dallas officers, it made me reflect on the loss of Officers Burnette and Nobles in 1993. I was a CMS teacher at the school (Selwyn) where the children from the Blvd Homes attended. The children were devastated and crying for days over the loss of their beloved neighborhood officers. As a native Charlottean, this was one of the saddest and most tragic days in our history. I just wanted to let your family know how much I appreciate the service and sacrifice of Officer Burnette! I want to let you know that I haven't forgotten him!

Beth Fox

July 9, 2016

As we complete our work for Blue Courage held in Chicago P.D., I would like to take this moment to thank you for your sacrifice. You are our guardian angel.

Sgt. Jacquelyn B. Frausto
Chicago Police Department

March 22, 2016

This evening I along with five others are researching Officer John Thomas Burnette, and he will be part of our reflect and remember project in our Blue Courage program tomorrow being held at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas. The other members of our class will learn of his and his partners (Anthony A. Nobles) sacrifice.

Chief Brian Frieda
Sweetwater Police Department

July 27, 2015

John was remembered today as part of the Blue Courage program hosted at the Norte Dame College Police Department, South Euclid, Ohio. John was part of a project for this course to reflect and remember his sacrifice.

Chief Jeffrey Scott
Notre Dame Poiice Department

July 8, 2015

A passing smile on TV brought you to mind tonight. I loved your humor, your laugh, and your mischievous personality. You were my favorite police officer, ever. RIP friend.

Staci Morrison
Friend

March 28, 2015

A passing smile on TV brought you to mind tonight. I loved you humor, your laugh, and your mischievous personality. You were my favorite police officer, ever. RIP friend.

Staci Morrison
Friend

March 28, 2015