Joseph C. Burman, a prominent figure in Kentucky law enforcement, was born in Rome, Floyd County, Georgia but spent most of his life in Kentucky---first in Maysville, Mason County, and then as an adult in Hazard and finally in the Bluegrass region and Frankfort.
At a young age, Burman met Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler, with whom he had a lifelong friendship. They boxed, played golf and baseball together for years. As Chandler's political career developed, Burman served as his aide and bodyguard. From 1928 to 1943, he said that he had driven Chandler over 200,000 miles in his campaigns for lieutenant governor, governor and U.S. Senator.During his first term as governor (1935-1939), Chandler appointed Burman to the fledgling Kentucky Highway Patrol. Burman entered the patrol with the rank of captain and in short order, was promoted to major. He began the patrol's criminal investigation function and was named as director of that sub-unit--the first Kentucky Bureau of Investigation. He studied fingerprinting and other techniques at the FBI in Washington. He was in charge of most major criminal investigations such as the Marion Miley case. He received considerable press coverage in the alleged attempted poisoning of Chandler, with whom he was tied closely tied. Notwithstanding having gained his position through politics, Burman was widely respected for his investigative skills.He resigned from his position in April 1943 at the request of then Governor Keen Johnson due to his association with Chandler, who supported an opposing candidate in the 1943 gubernatorial election.Within a few months, Burman became ill, sought treatment in New York City, and returned to Frankfort. Within five weeks of his diagnosis, Burman's health rapidly deteriorated. He was taken to a Louisville hospital where he died on Thanksgiving Day, 1944.
At a young age, Burman met Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler, with whom he had a lifelong friendship. They boxed, played golf and baseball together for years. As Chandler's political career developed, Burman served as his aide and bodyguard. From 1928 to 1943, he said that he had driven Chandler over 200,000 miles in his campaigns for lieutenant governor, governor and U.S. Senator.During his first term as governor (1935-1939), Chandler appointed Burman to the fledgling Kentucky Highway Patrol. Burman entered the patrol with the rank of captain and in short order, was promoted to major. He began the patrol's criminal investigation function and was named as director of that sub-unit--the first Kentucky Bureau of Investigation. He studied fingerprinting and other techniques at the FBI in Washington. He was in charge of most major criminal investigations such as the Marion Miley case. He received considerable press coverage in the alleged attempted poisoning of Chandler, with whom he was tied closely tied. Notwithstanding having gained his position through politics, Burman was widely respected for his investigative skills.He resigned from his position in April 1943 at the request of then Governor Keen Johnson due to his association with Chandler, who supported an opposing candidate in the 1943 gubernatorial election.Within a few months, Burman became ill, sought treatment in New York City, and returned to Frankfort. Within five weeks of his diagnosis, Burman's health rapidly deteriorated. He was taken to a Louisville hospital where he died on Thanksgiving Day, 1944.
Joseph C. Burman, a prominent figure in Kentucky law enforcement, was born in Rome, Floyd County, Georgia but spent most of his life in Kentucky---first in Maysville, Mason County, and then as an adult in Hazard and finally in the Bluegrass region and Frankfort.
At a young age, Burman met Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler, with whom he had a lifelong friendship. They boxed, played golf and baseball together for years. As Chandler's political career developed, Burman served as his aide and bodyguard. From 1928 to 1943, he said that he had driven Chandler over 200,000 miles in his campaigns for lieutenant governor, governor and U.S. Senator.During his first term as governor (1935-1939), Chandler appointed Burman to the fledgling Kentucky Highway Patrol. Burman entered the patrol with the rank of captain and in short order, was promoted to major. He began the patrol's criminal investigation function and was named as director of that sub-unit--the first Kentucky Bureau of Investigation. He studied fingerprinting and other techniques at the FBI in Washington. He was in charge of most major criminal investigations such as the Marion Miley case. He received considerable press coverage in the alleged attempted poisoning of Chandler, with whom he was tied closely tied. Notwithstanding having gained his position through politics, Burman was widely respected for his investigative skills.He resigned from his position in April 1943 at the request of then Governor Keen Johnson due to his association with Chandler, who supported an opposing candidate in the 1943 gubernatorial election.Within a few months, Burman became ill, sought treatment in New York City, and returned to Frankfort. Within five weeks of his diagnosis, Burman's health rapidly deteriorated. He was taken to a Louisville hospital where he died on Thanksgiving Day, 1944.
At a young age, Burman met Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler, with whom he had a lifelong friendship. They boxed, played golf and baseball together for years. As Chandler's political career developed, Burman served as his aide and bodyguard. From 1928 to 1943, he said that he had driven Chandler over 200,000 miles in his campaigns for lieutenant governor, governor and U.S. Senator.During his first term as governor (1935-1939), Chandler appointed Burman to the fledgling Kentucky Highway Patrol. Burman entered the patrol with the rank of captain and in short order, was promoted to major. He began the patrol's criminal investigation function and was named as director of that sub-unit--the first Kentucky Bureau of Investigation. He studied fingerprinting and other techniques at the FBI in Washington. He was in charge of most major criminal investigations such as the Marion Miley case. He received considerable press coverage in the alleged attempted poisoning of Chandler, with whom he was tied closely tied. Notwithstanding having gained his position through politics, Burman was widely respected for his investigative skills.He resigned from his position in April 1943 at the request of then Governor Keen Johnson due to his association with Chandler, who supported an opposing candidate in the 1943 gubernatorial election.Within a few months, Burman became ill, sought treatment in New York City, and returned to Frankfort. Within five weeks of his diagnosis, Burman's health rapidly deteriorated. He was taken to a Louisville hospital where he died on Thanksgiving Day, 1944.
Gravesite Details
Age 43
Family Members
Children
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
