Governor Mike Parson has ordered U.S. and Missouri flags be flown at half-staff at all government buildings in St. Francois County, Missouri, for one full day on March 27, 2022, from sunrise to sunset in honor of Bonne Terre Patrolman Lane A. Burns.
State government departments are responsible for distributing this information throughout your department for compliance with this order. You can find the proclamation here.
Mark Hill,
Director, OA FMDC
WHEREAS, Lane A. Burns graduated from Mineral Area College Law Enforcement Academy on June 11, 2012 and was issued a Missouri Peace Officer License that same day; and
WHEREAS, Lane A. Burns began his career as a law enforcement officer when he was commissioned as a full-time police officer by the Leadwood Police Department on September 15, 2014 and would subsequently go on to hold full-time commissions with the St. Francois County Sheriffs Office and the Leadington Police Department; and
WHEREAS, Lane A. Burns was commissioned as a full-time patrolman with the Bonne Terre Police Department on May 10, 2017; and
WHEREAS, on March 17, 2022, Patrolman Burns was on duty with the Bonne Terre Police Department when he was dispatched to a local motel for a disturbance call, where he was ambushed and mortally wounded by a gunman; and
WHEREAS, Patrolman Burns, though mortally wounded, and another Bonne Terre Police Officer, who was critically wounded, courageously returned fire, fatally shooting the gunman; and
WHEREAS, law enforcement officers courageously and selflessly strive to ensure the safety and well-being of their fellow citizens; and
WHEREAS, the people of the State of Missouri are thankful for the brave individuals in law enforcement who consider the welfare of others a personal responsibility and work tirelessly to protect the lives and the property of their fellow citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Michael L. Parson, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, as a mark of respect for the death of
PATROLMAN LANE A. BURNS
and for his bravery and service to the Bonne Terre Police Department do hereby order that the flag of the United States and the flag of Missouri shall be flown at half-staff at all government buildings in St. Francois County, Missouri, for one full day on March 27, 2022, from sunrise to sunset.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, this 26th day of March, 2022.
Michael L. Parson