James Scott Burns

By Marlene J. Bohr
Less than 45 hours after a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper was gunned down while in his patrol car, authorities surrounded the suspect near Linden Thursday afternoon. To avoid being captured, the suspect killed himself with a 9 mm gun, according to Hughes Springs Police Chief Randy Kennedy.
The search began Tuesday evening at 8 when reports came in that Trooper James Scott Burns, 39, of Linden, was shot near the intersection of Farm-to-Market Road 1969 and Farm-to-Market Road 729, just northeast of the Lake O’ the Pines and west of Kellyville. Authorities began the hunt for a 1997 Dodge Intrepid and the suspect Brandon Wayne Robertson, 37, of Tyler.
“A description of the vehicle was on the dash cam in the officer’s patrol car, in addition to witnesses to the shooting,” Chief Kennedy said. “The listed owner of the Dodge was in the Bradford Prison Unit. Contact was made with him and he said he sold it to another individual who was stopped in Tyler. That man said he sold the car to Robertson.”
Department of Public Safety officers were using a triangulation device Thursday afternoon after Mr. Robertson used a cell phone to call 9-1-1, according to Chief Kennedy, who joined the manhunt Tuesday night.
“Robertson had made calls Thursday, and they pinpointed the area around Highway 11 from Hughes Springs to Linden,” Chief Kennedy said. “As law enforcement were getting closer to Robertson and the DPS helicopter flying above him, he used his cell phone to call 9-1-1 dispatch in Cass County. He wanted the helicopter to get away from him or he was going to kill his hostage, who was his girlfriend. Dispatch in Cass County did an excellent job of talking with him, trying to get more information.
“Law enforcement was finally able to pinpoint it. We surrounded the area with officers, a SWAT team from Gregg County and another SWAT team from Smith County, along with Texas Rangers who were leading the team. The teams went in and the woman got away from Robertson. Officers were able to secure her and take her into custody. When they approached Robertson, they found he had killed himself with a 9 mm gun.”
Chief Kennedy was at the scene when Mr. Robertson was discovered.
“I was there and I was stationed with some of the out-of-town DPS officers, so I led them to the location,” Chief Kennedy said. “We surrounded the area where the Morris Lake is, north from the intersection of Highways 11 and 8, and about two miles past Music City Texas Theater. Robertson’s girlfriend, Jennifer Lynn Petrick, 36, of Avinger, is held for a probation violation in the Cass County Jail.
“All agencies, local, county, state, and federal, spent a tremendous amount of effort on this manhunt and did a tremendous job,” Chief Kennedy said. “Our community should be proud of our law enforcement and the outstanding job they did.”
Due to the manhunt nearing the community, Hughes Springs Independent School District went on alert Thursday.
“I stayed in contact with Chief Kennedy during the day and was prepared to act if there was a problem,” Superintendent Rick Ogden said. “We had administrators ride the buses, in addition to two principals riding buses east of town. We did this as a precaution on our end. All students were taken home, and there were no problems.”
Chief Kennedy said he has known Trooper Burns for a few years.
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Rita “The Rose” Scallopini, portrayed by Lynda Munkres, stands triumphant after killing off Don Donato “Baby Face” Brundizzi at the conclusion of the murder mystery dinner theater at the Daingerfield Chamber of Commerce Banquet Saturday night.

By Marlene J. Bohr
Intrigue, murder, greed, a mafia lifestyle, and a killer with a vendetta kept the 2008 Daingerfield Chamber of Commerce Banquet hopping as chamber directors portrayed the crime scene with a glimpse into the Godfather’s Library.
After Jimmy “The Gyp” Johnson’s attempt to wipe out The Don failed, and Jimmy was killed by “Crusher” Joe Genelli, award time began and continued between all five acts of the crowd-pleasing performance of the Brundizzi’s loyal family.
Beth Goodman captured the Citizen of the Year Award, presented by Keitha Nilsson.
“This year’s recipient is a baby boomer, born in Pennsylvania, and moved to Texas 30 years ago,” Mrs. Nilsson said. “This year’s Citizen of the Year is known for her contributions while keeping a low profile. She started her career in Lubbock and continued that direction in Daingerfield. For the past several years, she has been the treasurer of The Salvation Army and for several years has been in charge of the bell ringers. She has headed up the Toys for Tots drive and is a director of the Daingerfield Chamber of Commerce.
Others in the nomination for the Citizen of the Year Award were David Brotherton, Arthur Bruce, Richard “Dick” Fair, and Jerry Mills.
Janice Bryant, owner of Something Special, accepted the Business of the Year Award from presenter Mayor Lou Irvin.
“This year’s recipient is a good friend of mine,” Mayor Irvin said. “The history of this business goes back many years. Nancy Johnson started a gift shop in Daingerfield in 1964. Her daughter, Janice, worked for her from the time she was old enough for Nancy to teach her how to arrange the flowers. They moved uptown in a building across from City Hall and it was called Something Special by Nan and Jan. The business is now in a building on the corner of Scurry and Coffey streets. They took a chance, and it is certainly a gift shop and a place you can go visit with your friends.”
Businesses in the nomination phase were Cypress Home Health, Daingerfield Flower Mill, and John Traylor Insurance.
Mayor Irvin stepped up to receive the Community Pride Award from Debbie Spencer, former mayor pro tem. The Daingerfield State Park, Friends of the Library, and The Upper Room Christian Service Center were in the running, and the Daingerfield City Park won the award.
“This is such a source of pride for all of us,” Mayor Irvin said. “You drive by and there are children playing, family reunions, and birthdays held at the park. You see people walking and getting their exercise while the children are playing.”
The Daingerfield Lions Club won the Community Service Award for their work with sight, providing glasses for the underprivileged, helping with the Leader Dog Program, and taking children to the Lions Camp for Crippled Children at Kerrville. The club also is responsible for putting flags on businesses during the appropriate holidays. Jimmie Jones accepted the award for the club.
Other nominees were Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Daingerfield-Lone Star Education Foundation, Golden Blessings, Morris County Child Welfare Board, and the Piney Woods Civic Club.
Vicki Camp Falls presented the Woman of the Year Award from the Business & Professional Women’s Club to Brenda Sartain.
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