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Family, friends and hundreds of law enforcement officers said a final farewell to Texas DPS trooper Scott Burns Saturday. Burns was shot and killed by suspect Brandon Robertson Tuesday during a traffic stop. Robertson later took his own life when officers closed in on him after a massive manhunt.
This is a difficult time for Burns' wife Michaela, their five month old daughter and his parents, but it's also hard for all the officers who were there. The funeral for Burns reminds them all how dangerous their job really is and how quickly it can turn deadly.
There was a rainbow of different colored uniforms, from blue and green to tan and gray Saturday afternoon, but the one thing that united the hundreds of officers was a small black ribbon on their badges and the memory of 39-year old Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper James "Scott" Burns.
They came from as far away as California and Indiana. And others just over the county line attended, like Gladewater, Texas police chief Farrell Alexander. They say it's part of the brotherhood of the badge.
"No one really understands our job like another law enforcement officer. That's why we stick together and feel for each other," said Alexander.
And now they feel for Burn's wife, Michaela, his five month old daughter and the 39-year old's parents. As the family entered the church, the officers surrounded them saluting, honoring Burns and supporting them in their grief. It's a grief many officers know could happen to their families at any time. Caddo Parish Sheriff's Sergeant David Burks knew and worked with Burns.
"It hits close to home. When something like this happens because every time you put this uniform on and go out, you never know if you're going to come home to your family again," said Sgt. Burks.
Shreveport police officer Marcus Hines didn't know Burns, but still showed up to honor the fallen trooper.
"You always put yourself in the picture here," said Officer Hines.
Texas D.P.S. Spokeswoman Tela Mang says law enforcement does have any boundries.
"Everyone comes together in a time of need and they're here to support us and that feels good," said Mang.
And officers say that's what will get burn's family...And them through this pain.
Besides the hundreds of law officers, ordinary citizens lined Highway 59 as Burns was taken to his final resting place, the Shiloh Cemetery near Linden. Burns had been a D.P.S. trooper in Texas for five years
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