Frank Burns - 1923

EL PASO, TEXAS: On Thursday, April 12, 1923 El Paso Police Detective Frank Burns died of injuries he sustained after being shot two days earlier. Detective Burns was shot and killed while assisting federal narcotics agents in breaking up a drug ring in a soft drink stand in South El Paso. The officers entered a store to arrest the drug dealer when a concealed man opened fire, striking Detective Burns. He was shot three times by drug ring members who swore to “Get Him.” Detective Burns had been assigned to the detective bureau working the “canal beat,” which takes in South El Paso street below Seventh, and was considered the headquarters of liquor smugglers, dope runners and gunmen. The gunmen fled after shooting Burns and were trailed to Eight street and Chihuahua where the pair were seen wading the Rio Grande towards Juarez. He was transported to Hotel Dieu where he died from his injuries. He lived 32 hours after being shot and died at 10:30 p.m. Detective Burns was 28-years old and was survived by his wife.

Area: Central / Five Points

Source: EL PASO POLICE DEPARTMENT

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History