Retired police Captain dies in crash www.privateofficer.com
Posted by privateofficernews on November 19, 2009
Pearl MS. Nov 19 2009
Retired Pearl police Capt. George Burgess was on his way to a motorcycle club meeting when his Yamaha cruiser collided with a Ford Taurus on Tuesday evening.
Burgess, 58, died at the scene, at Lakeland and River Oaks drives in Flowood. The driver of the car, whose name was not released, was not harmed.
Burgess retired from the Pearl Police Department in 2001 and worked as security director for Southern Farm Bureau Insurance. He lived in Ridgeland with his wife of nearly 20 years, Gwen.
“He was a very careful and very experienced rider and would never do anything to endanger himself or anybody else,” Gwen Burgess said Wednesday, her voice shaky with emotion.
The accident happened around 6:30 p.m., according to Flowood police. Burgess was traveling east when the car turned in front of him, police said.
The accident is under investigation, Flowood Police Chief Johnny DeWitt said.
George Burgess joined Pearl police in 1974, a year after the agency formed. He was one of the first motorcycle patrol officers there, said Pearl police Lt. Butch Townsend, who worked with Burgess for 12 years.
Burgess worked his way up through the department and retired as second in command, Townsend said.
“He was just here visiting us not that long ago,” Townsend said.
Pearl Mayor Brad Rogers and his family were close to the Burgess family. Burgess was a “by-the-book” cop and always took an interest in other people, Rogers said.
“George always had time for anybody. He will be missed for sure,” Rogers said.
Burgess enjoyed cooking, deep-sea fishing, motorcycles, his family and reading, his wife said. “He was thoroughly enjoying his new job,” Gwen Burgess said.
Burgess also is survived by two sons, Marty and Jake.
Burgess, 58, died at the scene, at Lakeland and River Oaks drives in Flowood. The driver of the car, whose name was not released, was not harmed.
Burgess retired from the Pearl Police Department in 2001 and worked as security director for Southern Farm Bureau Insurance. He lived in Ridgeland with his wife of nearly 20 years, Gwen.
“He was a very careful and very experienced rider and would never do anything to endanger himself or anybody else,” Gwen Burgess said Wednesday, her voice shaky with emotion.
The accident happened around 6:30 p.m., according to Flowood police. Burgess was traveling east when the car turned in front of him, police said.
The accident is under investigation, Flowood Police Chief Johnny DeWitt said.
George Burgess joined Pearl police in 1974, a year after the agency formed. He was one of the first motorcycle patrol officers there, said Pearl police Lt. Butch Townsend, who worked with Burgess for 12 years.
Burgess worked his way up through the department and retired as second in command, Townsend said.
“He was just here visiting us not that long ago,” Townsend said.
Pearl Mayor Brad Rogers and his family were close to the Burgess family. Burgess was a “by-the-book” cop and always took an interest in other people, Rogers said.
“George always had time for anybody. He will be missed for sure,” Rogers said.
Burgess enjoyed cooking, deep-sea fishing, motorcycles, his family and reading, his wife said. “He was thoroughly enjoying his new job,” Gwen Burgess said.
Burgess also is survived by two sons, Marty and Jake.
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