09-05-2025
Tyler PD honors officer on 70th anniversary of line of duty death
TYLER, Texas (KETK)– Thursday marks 70 years since a Tyler Police Officer was working his first Mother's Day with the department when he was killed during a high-speed pursuit.
According to Tyler Police Department, on May 8, 1955 Patrolman Burl Whittington died at the age of 25 after he was involved in a high-speed chase of two teenagers on South Broadway.
Funeral service held for fallen Tyler police officer
While Whittington was following the speeding vehicle through Old Bullard Road, his patrol car hit a dip and went out control causing him to strike a tree head-on.
The department said Whittington had been at Tyler PD for only 1 year and 4 months when he died from his injuries he experienced from the crash.
Whittington is one of four Tyler police officers killed in the line of of duty. 'We do not want to forget the sacrifice he made serving the City of Tyler,' Tyler PD said.
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