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Cold Spring's Sergeant Darrell Burris Killed in Accident
The Village government, business community and residents were all stunned with disbelief and sadness as news of Burris' death spread last Friday morning. Mourning bunting hung from the fronts of both the Village Hall and the Cold Spring Fire Company. At the Village Hall, where police offices are located, visitors streamed in all day offering condolences to the sergeant's fellow officers and Village staff who worked closely with Burris during the seven years he was with the Police Department. Mayor Anthony Phillips, to whom Burris reported, was still noticeably upset a day later. "I can't say enough about the guy. He was really into his job; he loved it. He was so active and so interested in making the department better and having a relationship with the community." Burris was scheduled to receive his new sergeant's shield from Mayor Phillips this week, having just completed the Putnam County training and testing required for the promotion. Burris joined the Cold Spring police in July, 2001, on a part-time basis before being promoted in June, 2004 to the supervisory post as the only full-time officer in charge of a 14 member part-time force that provides coverage seven days a week, 24 hours a day. He had previously served as a dispatcher for the state police for ten years. A man of large frame and genial smile, Burris was a familiar and comforting presence to many in the Village who valued his willingness to extend himself to promote safety and deter crimes. Mayor Phillips recalled how Burris enjoyed working with the children at the Haldane School, introducing them to law enforcement and to his constant companion, the black Labrador, Duncan. "I remember when he came to us with the idea of having a canine presence for the police. We were concerned about having a police dog and what it might mean. But he persisted, went out and raised funds for it, got the necessary training and selected a dog everyone involved came to love," said the Mayor. The hallmark of his Village tenure, Burris deployed Duncan to conduct searches for illegal drugs, track burglars, and accompany him into all sorts of situations. The K-9 team also worked closely with the Putnam County Sheriff's Department on special operations. Burris and Duncan competed nationally and won awards at the U.S. Police Canine Association and other events. Burris was most recently spearheading an effort to form a Neighborhood Watch committee to involve merchants and residents more actively in monitoring Village street activity in the wake of a series of mostly commercial burglaries that struck Cold Spring in late summer and early fall. He and his officers were also involved in a task force with the Putnam Sheriff's Department investigating those crimes. Sergeant Burris' death sparked an outpouring of community sympathy. Over the weekend flags flew at half-mast, small tributes such as a poem about duty and bravery at the Merritt Bookstore appeared in storefronts and lighted candles, flowers and cards with heart-felt tributes lined the bench in front of Village Hall. Cathryn Fadde, president of the Chamber of Commerce, representing most of the businesses and other organizations in the Village said "the response has been overwhelming with people wanting to do something." She said the Chamber had collected thousands of dollars from the restaurants and shops on and around Main Street to help defray the cost of a reception expected to draw a large crowd of people paying their respects. "People who overheard me soliciting our members in stores wanted to contribute as well. Even people who didn't know Darrell personally always saw him patrolling the Village with his dog, and they knew he was important to the life of the community. He brought humanity to the job; he had a big heart," said Fadde. Sergeant Burris grew up in Middleburgh, New York and was a graduate of that town's high school. He served two years in the United States Coast Guard and had previously been a police officer in Pound Ridge, New York. He was also a member of the Stephen Driscoll Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police. Mayor Phillips acknowledged that the work of the Police Department
had to continue around the clock despite the tide of emotion over
the loss of Sergeant Burris. He said a few of the part-time officers
had already offered to take on more responsibility and that he and
his staff would be more involved in seeing to administrative matters.
The Mayor also said Putnam County Sheriff Donald Smith had offered
to assist in any way, including the sorrowful duty of finding a replacement
for a highly regarded police officer. Hundreds Say Farewell to Sergeant Darrell Burris Law enforcement agencies from Connecticut, several Westchester towns, State Troopers, Orange and Rockland Counties, all towns in Putnam County, the NYPD, Department of Environmental Conservation, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the City University of New York came to pay tribute to a man who was widely loved and respected. With an enormous American flag hung between tower ladders from the Somers and Carmel Fire Departments, and all traffic diverted from one of Carmel's main streets, the procession, headed by an Honor Guard, slowly made its way past the silent officers who stood at attention, while saluting as the cortége, which included the Cold Spring Fire Department and Philipstown Ambulance Corps, made its way toward the St. James the Apostle Church. The Cold Spring Fire Company Pipes and Drum Band and the Hudson Valley Regional Police Marching Band, which had played as the cortége made its way to the church, performed the plaintive Going Home as mourners entered the church and Amazing Grace as the mourners left. Cold Spring Police Officer Robert Russell, frequently choking back tears, gave the eulogy, saying that words were inadequate to describe "the totality of our feelings or offer solace in the face of senseless tragedy." His voice quavering, Russell said "Darrell was a man who brightened our lives with his smile and his grace. Our community was blessed to know Darrell. Our loss is deeply felt." Calling Sergeant Burris "passionate about his calling," Russell said Darrell was a leader who "excelled in expectations placed on him" and whose career was highlighted with honors and achievement. He was a man "filled with the joy of living" Russell said, calling Darrell a "devoted husband, a dedicated cop, and my friend…No one can deny that he was the type of friend always there for you." Talking about their friendship, Russell told the story of how he was supposed to have been at Darrell's Saturday wedding. Russell missed the wedding because he had thought it was Sunday. Russell's cousin called him Saturday night to ask why he was not at the reception, and Russell realized he had "messed up." Darrell got on the phone and urged Russell to join the party, saying "It doesn't matter. Get up here now and celebrate with us." Russell said that Darrell was never angry that he had missed the ceremony, but was "glad that [Russell] had been able to share some part of their special day…That's the type of guy Darrell was. He forgave you your shortcomings and remembered you for the good that you gave." Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith said "Darrell Burris was not only an outstanding police officer, but he had a golden heart." Smith said Darrell "had emergency services blood flowing through his veins; it was his heartbeat," adding that Darrell was "all about service and helping his fellow human beings [especially in times of crisis]…he wanted to work with people doing emergency services." Sheriff Smith said the "beauty of his life was that he accomplished so much in his short life." Smith said that Darrell had turned an avocation, referring to his start as a dispatcher, into a vocation, "He was doing what he loved to do." Sergeant David Campbell, the K-9 Unit Trainer who trained the Darrell and Duncan team appeared in shock, speaking about Darrell's death, "He was a great guy to work with. We were all shocked…such a nice guy." Echoing others, Sergeant Campbell called Darrell a "good-natured man" and spoke of his helpfulness, adding that Darrell had been great at finding scenarios to put K-9s and officers through as training. Campbell said that Darrell and Duncan had been scheduled for training the past Monday adding, "We all miss him a lot." Sheriff's Deputy Barbara Dunn, who worked with Sergeant Burris, said that, for her "what the loss really is, is the person, not just the cop." Legislator Vinny Tamagna said, "It is a tragedy when you lose someone as passionate and dedicated as Darrell was. He very quickly was embraced by the community and had become a part of the everyday fabric of our village. It will take a long time to mend that tear. Shopkeepers, community residents and tourists will feel his loss very deeply. ..It is a loss on every level." Cold Spring Mayor Anthony Phillips said, "Darrell came to this village as a part-time police officer, and he immediately felt good for the community." Phillips said Darrell immediately fit into village life, becoming part of the community, with special focus on children. Phillips praised Darrell for improving every facet of the department "He was a happy guy; I'm glad I knew him. Everybody knew Darrell and Duncan." Answering a question on what will happen with Duncan, Mayor Phillips, who will decide whether he is given to Sergeant Burris' family or be re-trained with another officer, said that "Most of the time the dog ends up going with the family of the owner…[although a K-9 can be re-trained, Duncan] is probably going to remain with the family." Cold Spring police canine is among the top dogs By TERENCE CORCORAN Duncan, a 3-year-old black Labrador, and his handler, Cold Spring Commanding Officer Darrell Burris, recently returned from the United States Police Canine Association's national detector trials. The Cold Spring team, which has already won a regional competition, went up against 79 teams of narcotics-detector dogs and their handlers and finished fifth in the outdoor detection category, where the team is judged on how fast the dog can detect drugs hidden in an outdoor setting. The competition was held in Cloquet, Minn. Burris, who has worked with his canine partner for about a year, said the experience was worthwhile. "It was great to compete with the other teams and learn from them," Burris said last week. "At first it was a little intimidating to see how well these dogs performed for their handlers. But Duncan and I have only been together a year, so we hope to improve." The 83-pound Lab turned 3 years old last week. His position on the Cold Spring police force has had little impact on village taxes as he was donated to the town, his food is supplied by a local grocer, the Animal Hospital of Cold Spring provides free medical care and the specially equipped cruiser that Burris drives was funded through a state grant. The trip to Minnesota was paid for through the United States Police Canine Association. Burris said he hoped they could return to the nationals next year. "Just to talk to the officers who have worked with dogs for years and have the opportunity to learn from them was phenomenal," he said. Cold Spring Police K9 Team Places 5th in National Skills  THE PUTNAM COUNTY NEWS AND RECORDER (Original publication: May 23, 2007)
Duncan and Darrell, familiar faces around the village, were one of 98 teams of dogs and handlers competing at the competition, which included narcotics, explosives, and cadaver detection specialists. Duncan placed 5th in the narcotics detection section. The trip to Minnesota was fully funded by the USPCA Region 7 after Duncan and Darrell placed second in the regional competition held in November. Duncan has been on the beat for over a year and a half and has numerous successful investigations under his collar. If you see Duncan on the street, don't forget to give him a pat on the back. Cold Spring police dog headed to national drug trials
By TERENCE CORCORAN He smells. Duncan smells good - so good, in fact, that he and his handler, Commanding Officer Darrell Burris, are headed to Cloquet, Minn., next week for the National Narcotics Detector Trials of the U.S. Police Canine Association. Duncan, who has been on the job a little less than a year, earned the trip to Minnesota when he and Burris beat 16 of 17 teams from New York and Connecticut at a regional detector trial earlier this year in Orange County. Duncan's forte - as he's proven through his work alongside Burris - is sniffing out illegal drugs, although he's equally adept at tracking people. He had been on the job just a matter of weeks when, twice in one day, his well-trained nose found drugs stashed in a car and drugs that had been tossed from a moving car. His work that August day resulted in three arrests. For Duncan, a bounding bundle of energy as he leaps from the back of Burris' patrol car, it's not about a paycheck or a pension. It's about doing his job and getting his reward. For him, that's playing fetch with Burris. "I think that what makes our relationship so successful is that he just wants to please me," Burris said. "For him, it's all a game." The 83-pound Lab, who turns 3 on May 23, lives with Burris, his wife and family. As a member of the force, he has had little impact on village taxes. His food is supplied by a local grocer; Dr. Peter Bach of the Animal Hospital of Cold Spring provides free health care; and the Ford Crown Victoria that Burris drives Duncan in was obtained through a state grant from state Sen. Vincent Leibell, R-Patterson. Even their trip to Minnesota is being funded through the USPCA. "We're happy to provide health care to Duncan. It's our way to give something to the community," Bach said. "Duncan is quite the professional, and he's a good patient. When he shows up for his check-up, he jumps on the table and he's ready to go." Unlike patrol dogs, which are trained to be aggressive, detector dogs view their jobs as a game. "They're just happy-go-lucky dogs who like to work," said Russ Hess, director of the USPCA. "A dollar bill or a $100 bill means nothing to a black Lab. Once he finds the odor he's trained to detect, he'll receive his pay by being allowed to play. Pleasing his handler is part of it, too." Burris keeps a ball and other toys in his cruiser as rewards. During the upcoming detector trials, Burris will lead Duncan through several cars and hotel rooms to find hidden narcotics. "They'll judge us on our time as well as our rapport, how well Duncan responds to and interacts with me," Burris said. The competition will also allow Burris to interact with roughly 100 handlers and their dogs from throughout the country. "It's a great opportunity to share with your peers information not only on working with dogs, but law-enforcement trends and case law as well," Hess said. "The wealth of information exchanged is very valuable." |
