I read this same story over on Glocktalk, there's been new info released. Aparently this guy wasn't a stellar cop. He was 'let to voluntarily resign' from one job for poor performance. My guess is that he was either canned or prodded to leave from every agency he worked for. He fell into a life of crime/drugs, and spent time in a Texas prison. Also, aparently, the officer shot to death wasn't even able to get out of the car - he was gunned down before he could get his seatbelt off (this is a reason most cops I know do NOT wear their seatbelt! your car can quickly become your coffin)
http://www.tylerpaper.com/article/20...WS01/968400931 Article published Apr 30, 2008
UPDATE: Man Wanted for Allegedly Killing Trooper is Former Police Officer
By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer
Tyler Morning Telegraph
The man who is the subject of a regionwide manhunt after allegedly killing a Texas state trooper was once a peace officer himself. Records with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education show the man wanted for the shooting death of trooper James Scott Burns, 39, of Linden during a high speed chase Tuesday night is a former lawman in Rusk County. Texas Department of Public Safety trooper Jean Dark said they are seeking 37-year-old Tyler resident Brandon Wayne Robertson in connection with Burns’ death.
Burns was killed when he was shot several times while in his patrol car. The shooting occurred just before 8 p.m. by the intersection of Farm-to Market roads 1969 and 729 north east of Lake 0’ The Pines near Kellyville. DPS officials say a local citizen who attempted to provide aid to the trooper used Burns’ radio to call for help. Troopers developed the suspect’s name after talking to an incarcerated man who once owned the car involved in the incident. Dark said officials are seeking information to the whereabouts of Robertson and the blue 1997 Dodge Intrepid bearing Texas license plate 039-LCG that he was last seen driving. Dark said Robertson was last known to have lived just north of Tyler in the Eagle Creek subdivision in a travel trailer. The TCLOSE records show that Robertson worked for the Overton Police Department, the Kilgore Police Department and the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office. The record indicates he last served as a peace officer in 1999 when he left the Overton department, and shows he was a seven-year veteran officer who has been trained in police tactics. After leaving law enforcement, Robertson turned to crime and did four years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system for narcotics. The Gregg County Judicial Web site shows Robertson has a criminal history including unlawful carrying of a weapon, possession and manufacture/delivery of controlled substance and theft. Robertson is considered armed and extremely dangerous. Burns was the 83rd trooper in the agency’s history to be killed in the line of duty.
Anyone with information about Robertson is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency.
and an email posted by a GT'er, that was sent to area LE agencies...
Subject: Urgent Information from Texas & Louisiana DPS
For those of you who are unaware, a DPS Trooper was shot and killed last night in Marion County subsequent a traffic stop. The suspect has been identified as Brandon Wayne Robertson, W/M, DOB: 03/04/71, 6'2" 250 lbs, Red hair, Green eyes. Robertson is a former Texas police officer, believed to be armed with high caliber weapons and over 1000 rounds of ammunition. I would think it safe to assume he could quite possibly have body armor as well. DPS cautioned he apparently initiates pursuit, then without warning abruptly stops and exits his vehicle and opens fire. The Trooper killed yesterday evening was still in his seatbelt. In addition Robertson took the time to shoot the video camera in the patrol unit. Intel shows Robertson's cell phone may have hit a tower in the Shreveport area, however, Texas DPS believes he is still in Texas. Robertson was last driving a 1997 Blue Dodge Intrepid, Texas License #039LCG.
Security directors, please disseminate this information as soon as possible to your security personnel, check your player tracking, hotels, etc. for any information on the suspect. Intel officers, be advised sufficient time has passed for the suspect to have made it to your areas as well. Use extreme caution if/when you find the suspect as he is definitely armed and dangerous.
Murder Suspect Believed Armed, Dangerous
By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer
He is a former peace officer who had two encounters with Texas Department of Public Safety troopers during the month of April, one that ended in his arrest and the other in the death of a trooper. Now, law enforcement officials in the region are searching for the man they say killed 39-year-old James Scott Burns, of Linden, during a high speed chase Tuesday night. Some officers told the Tyler Paper they fear that when the former officer — considered armed and extremely dangerous — is located, there will be a shootout because “he has nothing to lose.”Texas Department of Public Safety trooper Jean Dark said they are seeking 37-year-old Tyler resident Brandon Wayne Robertson in connection with Burns’ death and that a capital murder warrant has been issued.Burns, who was born in Longview and graduated from Tyler Junior College, was killed when he was shot several times in his patrol car. The shooting occurred just before 8 p.m. by the intersection of Farm-to Market roads 1969 and 729 northeast of Lake 0’ The Pines near Kellyville.
Officials say Robertson ambushed the trooper, who was not even able to remove his seat belt as he stopped his patrol unit before he was shot multiple times with a shotgun.A local citizen, who attempted to provide aid to the trooper, used Burns’ radio to call for help, but Burns would die at the scene.Troopers developed the suspect’s name after talking to an incarcerated man who once owned the car involved in the incident.Dark said officials are seeking information on the whereabouts of Robertson and the blue 1997 Dodge Intrepid bearing Texas license plate 039-LCG he was last seen driving.Dark said Robertson was last known to have lived just north of Tyler in the Eagle Creek subdivision in a travel-trailer.Records with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education show Robertson is a former lawman in Rusk County.The TCLOSE records show Robertson worked for the Overton Police Department, the Kilgore Police Department and the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office.The record indicates he last served as a peace officer in 1999 when he left the Overton department and shows he was a seven-year veteran officer who has been trained in police tactics.Kilgore Police Capt. Randy Hancock said Robertson worked for the department only briefly and was allowed to voluntarily resign after poor job performance, which included wrecking three patrol cars.After leaving law enforcement, Robertson turned to crime and did a stint in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system for narcotics before being paroled.Officers across the area all said their thoughts are with Burns’ wife and 6-month-old child and they found Robertson’s acts cowardly.“I believe the words I would use would be that I am appalled that he or anyone else could do what he did to another human being in the manner he did it. That trooper didn’t have a chance,” Hancock said.The Gregg County Judicial Web site shows Robertson has been jailed for unlawful carrying of a weapon, possession and manufacture/delivery of controlled substance and theft.But that wouldn’t be the last time he would be in trouble with the law.Cherokee County Jail records show Robertson was arrested April 6 by DPS troopers and charged with felony three possession of a controlled substance.He posted a $7,500 bond the very next day and remained low on the radar until Tuesday night’s shooting.Now, every peace officer in the area is looking for a man many believe will not give up.“I believe he is ... bent on self-destruction and will take anyone with him that he can. We hope that isn’t the case, because we don’t want anyone else hurt,” one officer said.Officers continue to search an area near where the shooting occurred, but there have been no sightings.Anyone with information about Robertson is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency immediately, and police warn not to confront the suspect.
$30,000 Reward Offered for Info on Trooper Slaying Suspect
Several East Texas businesses and district attorneys’ offices have put up a $30,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person responsible for the death of Trooper James Scott Burns, the Department of Public Safety announced today.
Anyone with information is asked to call DPS toll free at 1-888-244-0827 or 1-888-244-0829.
Law enforcement officers throughout the state are looking for Brandon Wayne Robertson, 37, a suspect in the fatal shooting of a DPS trooper Tuesday night in Marion County near Lake O’ the Pines. Robertson was last seen driving a blue Dodge Intrepid with Texas license plate 039-LCG.
Funds for the reward were donated by Oak Farms Dairies, Hunt Petroleum, the Bowie County District Attorney’s Office, the Cass County District Attorney’s Office and the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.
The reward will remain in force for six months from today’s date, the DPS said.
http://spotted.tylerpaper.com/pages/...gallery=306405 "Officials say Robertson ambushed the trooper, who was not even able to remove his seat belt as he stopped his patrol unit before he was shot multiple times with a shotgun."
A witness said he had heard the trooper’s siren Tuesday night and then heard a gunshot. He said he looked out of his window and saw that the man the officer was pursuing was out of his car. The man was about 20 feet from the patrol car when he shot what Gray described as a 12- or 20-gauge shotgun at the trooper, the witness said.
April 30th 2008 9:58 PM
i think this is one of those stories i will not comment on.
NighthawkCarbine