Patrolman Ira H. Burgess

Ira H. Burgess

Patrolman Ira Burgess was shot and killed when he and a police captain responded to reports of a man threatening to kill his wife at 1446 Willow Street.

When they arrived at the man's house they began to take cover but the man came out with a shotgun and opened fire. Patrolman Burgess was shot as he attempted to draw his pistol. The suspect was then shot and killed by a city workhouse guard who was supervising a nearby work crew.

Patrolman Burgess had served with the Kingsport Police Department for five years and had previously served as a part-time deputy for the Hawkins County Sheriff's Office for 16 years.