|
Hundreds Say Farewell to Sergeant Darrell Burris
"Our Loss is Deeply Felt"
by Margaret Sternberg
 | | Police officer and canine at attention while awaiting the cortége. Officers from K-9 units from the Orange County Sheriff's Department, the Cities of Newburgh, Middleton, Yonkers, New Rochelle and the Towns of Warwick, Yorktown, Pelham, Kent and Newburgh as well as the NYPD, CUNY and the MTA attended the funeral. |
|
Despite a constant rain, more than five hundred fellow police officers, friends and family attended Sergeant Darrell Burris' funeral.
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."
Providing local news, information and opinions from
Philipstown and Putnam Valley, NY
Encompassing the Villages of Cold Spring and Nelsonville,
and the hamlet of Garrison, Putnam County, NY.
This site is a publication of The Putnam County News and Recorder, the source for news and information of the Philipstown
and Putnam Valley area. The PCN&R is 139
years old, published in hard copy every Wednesday, and circulated throughout Putnam
County, NY.
The PCN&R prints LEGAL NOTICES
for: Putnam County, The Town of Philipstown, The Town of Putnam Valley, Village of Cold Spring, Village of
Nelsonville, the Haldane Union Free School District and the Garrison Union Free School
District.
Deadline for printed press releases, advertisements and classifieds is Monday at noon for
Wednesday publication. This site is updated on an as-needed basis with a minimum update
weekly on Thursdays. For further information or to request a subscription to the paper, please
contact us with your name and mailing address at:
(845) 265-2468 PO Box 185, Cold Spring, NY 10516, or e-mail us at editor@pcnr.com
If you see an advertiser on line, tell them! | Click ads below
for larger version
System and Method for Display
Ads have a Patent Pending.
Click Here for More Information
|
)