Officer Joseph Bruce Burtner was 23 and had been with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for six months when he was killed on December 12, 1995, in Jacksonville, Florida. He and other officers had responded to a reported possible suicide at 7343 Ellwood Avenue after the resident, Winston Dixon, left a suicide message on his answering machine. After repeated attempts to contact Dixon failed, Officer Burtner, with approval from his supervisors, attempted to force entry. He was ambushed on breaching the doorway and fatally shot with an AK-47 rifle.

Winston Dixon later said he believed his house was being burglarized and acted in self-defense. Dixon was convicted of manslaughter, four counts of attempted murder, and one count of armed robbery, and received six consecutive life terms in prison. Officer Burtner is remembered for his bravery and dedication. Does anyone have memories of Officer Burtner or information about the call that night?