Mourning the death of Joseph Burton Jr., distinguished United States Army veteran, long-serving Chief of Police, and devoted community leader

Senate Resolution No. 2232

BY: Senator HARCKHAM

        MOURNING   the   death   of   Joseph  Burton  Jr.,
        distinguished   United    States    Army    veteran,
        long-serving  Chief of Police, and devoted community
        leader

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor the lives
of  those  distinguished  individuals  whose  service,  leadership,  and
devotion  to  their communities leave a lasting legacy upon the State of
New York; and

  WHEREAS, Joseph Burton Jr., a resident of Ossining, New York, passed
away on April 6, 2026, at the age of 80, surrounded by his loving family
after a courageous battle with illness; and

  WHEREAS, Born on January 27, 1946,  in  Yonkers,  New  York,  Joseph
Burton  Jr.  was the beloved son of Joseph and Josephine Burton, and was
raised with strong values of service, discipline, and community; and

  WHEREAS, After completing  his  education,  including  degrees  from
Mercy  College in Criminal Justice and Human Resource Management, Joseph
Burton Jr. honorably served in the United States Army from 1963 to 1966,
attaining the rank of Specialist Fifth Class; and

  WHEREAS, Following his  military  service,  he  began  a  remarkable
48-year career with the Village of Ossining Police Department, rising to
Chief  of  Police in 1992, a position he held for 24 years, becoming the
longest-serving chief in village history; and

  WHEREAS, Chief Burton was widely respected for his leadership in law
enforcement and his commitment to public safety, youth  mentorship,  and
community  programs,  including  the  DARE  program, the Police Athletic
League, and regional police organizations, as  well  as  his  graduation
from the FBI National Academy; and

  WHEREAS,  Beyond  policing,  he  served  as Chairman of the Ossining
Volunteer Ambulance Corps, where he helped advance the implementation of
Advanced Life  Support  services,  and  as  President  of  the  Ossining
Historical Society, reflecting his deep commitment to community life and
history; and

  WHEREAS,  A  lifelong  mentor and coach, Joseph Burton Jr. dedicated
decades to Ossining youth athletics, especially girls basketball,  where
he  took great pride in guiding student-athletes to success and multiple
state championships; and

  WHEREAS, He was known for his steady leadership, quiet strength, and
deep devotion to family, faith, and community, as well as  his  enduring
love for sports and his lifelong support of New York teams; and

  WHEREAS,  Joseph  Burton  Jr.  is  survived by his wife of 57 years,
Gabrielle; his daughter, Kristine Burton; his  siblings,  Warren  Burton
and  Carol  Adams; and many extended family members and friends who will
forever cherish his memory; and


  WHEREAS,  Joseph  Burton  Jr.'s  life  of  service,  leadership, and
dedication to others leaves a lasting  legacy  throughout  the  Ossining
community; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the  death  of  Joseph  Burton  Jr.,  honoring  his  distinguished
military  service, his decades of leadership in law enforcement, and his
lifelong commitment to his community; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to the family of Joseph Burton Jr.