Special Officer David B. Burns, Pawtucket Police Department, Rhode Island

Special Officer David B. Burns

Pawtucket Police Department, Rhode Island

End of Watch Tuesday, August 18, 1925

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David B. Burns

Special Officer David Burns drowned while attempting to rescue a child who was thrown into Narragansett Bay when the boiler on the excursion ship Mackinac exploded.

The owner of the ship had invited Officer Burns and other officers on board just prior to the explosion. Fifty-three people were killed as a result of the accident.

Officer Burns was a British Army veteran of WWI. He was survived by his wife and three children.

Bio

Age 33
Tour Not available
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Drowned

water rescue

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Most Recent Reflection

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Officer Burns,
On today, the 100th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for the UK and the Commonwealth as well when you served with the British Army in Europe fighting the Germans during World War I.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

August 18, 2025