Photo 11/01/09: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove —Burbank Police and Fire Headquarters where the flags are flying at half-staff in remembrance of Sgt. Neil Thomas Gunn, Sr.
The Burbank Police Department has taken some pretty big hits lately from lawsuits, investigations, low morale, scandal and now the apparent suicide of one of its patrol officers. According to a press release put out by the Burbank PD, 50-year-old Neil T. Gunn died on a residential city street corner of a self-inflicted gunshot wound yesterday morning.
It happened around 11:40 a.m. near the intersection of Sunset Canyon Drive and Harvard Road in the hillside area. Police officers responded to a slew of 9-1-1 calls and found Gunn. A short time later, Gunn was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove
At the time of his death, the 22-year veteran patrol officer was apparently on administrative leave after being named in an FBI investigation into police misconduct, according to The Burbank Leader. At least a dozen Burbank police officers are part of that investigation. So far, the FBI has not disclosed the details of the probe.
During his long career, Gunn received a number of awards and commendations including Ministerial Officer of 1992 and department professional esteem awards in 1997 and 2004.
The press release stated: “This incident is a devastating tragedy. The members of the police department and all our city employees share in the grief with his family during this difficult time.”
The investigation into the death of Sgt. Gunn is now being handled by the Glendale Police.
Also, Burbank Blogger Steve Ferguson has a commentary on his site about Gunn’s death. It’s well worth the read.
UPDATE:10/31/09 
Photos 10/30/09: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove
A wreath dedicated “In Loving Memory” of Sgt. Neil Gunn was anchored near The Guardians sculpture in front of the Burbank Police and Fire Headquarters when I dropped by the site yesterday.
Photo 10/31/09: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove
Then today, I noticed a second wreath had been added to the flowers, cards, and candles in that memorial to a fallen officer.
Also, I am hearing now that Sgt. Gunn was not on administrative leave when he died. Meanwhile, a lot of unanswered questions and suspicions about Gunn’s death. The press release from the city of Burbank/Burbank PD called the gunshot wound on Gunn’s body self-inflicted. Some, including a resident I spoke to who lives near the scene of the tragedy, doubts the suicide conclusion.
UPDATE 11/01/09
This same resident, who did not want his name used, pointed out to me the spot where Gunn’s body was discovered, beneath some shady trees on a grassy area with blooming pink roses and a large sign for the nearby De Bell Golf Course and some other local attractions.
Photo 11/01/09: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove
Near the location attractions sign and not far from the street sign identifying this intersection as Sunset Canyon Drive and Harvard Road, flower bouquets were left in sympathy for Sgt. Gunn.
Photos 10/30/09: FLLLewis/A Writer’s Groove
I e-mailed a copy of that press release to a friend, Ken Bell, who is a retired investigator for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Ken Bell opines “… there must have been some tattoo (gun powder burn) around the wound indicating that it was close range shooting and a check of GSR (gun power residue on the shooting hand) would have {been}strong evidence that he shot himself…..” Bell suggests the position of the body and other evidence at the scene could have reinforced that conclusion.
We will probably have to wait until the Glendale Police investigation wraps up and the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office releases some part of its report before we have a clearer picture of how Sgt. Gunn died. Hopefully, that information will shed some light on the other important question; why did Gunn die?
UPDATE 11/02/09 MAJOR DEVELOPMENT
Tomorrow’s Burbank City Council meeting is shaping up as a major event and perhaps even a turning point for the Burbank Police Department. I got this media advisory a short time ago.
Also, a source tells me a large number of Burbank Police Officers are planning on attending Tuesday’s council meeting to show support for the family of Sgt. Gunn and to show support for the immediate removal of Police Chief Tim Stehr.
Media Advisory
Burbank police Sgt. Neil Thomas Gunn Sr. family members
to address the media
BURBANK, Calif., November 2, 2009 – The family members of Burbank police Sgt. Neil Thomas Gunn Sr., who died last week will speak to the media following the Burbank City Council meeting tomorrow, November 3, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Sergeant Gunn’s children and other family members will tell the media that Sgt. Gunn’s suicide was motivated, in large part, by the treatment of Sgt. Gunn by the Burbank Police Department .
Sergeant Gunn was a 22-year-veteran and patrol sergeant with the Burbank Police Department. He received numerous commendations for his work, including Ministerial Officer of the Year in 1992, and two departmental Professional Esteem awards.
The Burbank City Council meeting begins tomorrow at 6:00 pm at City Hall, 275 E. Olive Avenue. It is anticipated that the family will talk to the media at 6:30 pm outside of the Council Chambers.
