Edward H. Burruss

Edward Harris (Chief) Burruss passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, July 11, 2016. He was born on December 20, 1924, in Forsyth County as the only son of Winford Walton & Byrd Harris Burruss. He was preceded in death by both of his parents, and his step-mother Jane Baldwin Burruss. He is survived by his wife of 69 years Sara Nell Burruss; sons Stanley Burruss (Mildred) of Albany, and David Burruss of Vinings; grandsons Bryan Burruss (Danielle) of Columbia, SC, Bud Burruss of Marietta, and Charlie Burruss & Tommy Burruss of Vinings; great grandsons John & Griffin Burruss of Columbia, SC; brother Charles Burruss (Shirley) of Cumming; and many nieces and nephews. As per Chief Burruss’ instructions his obituary is being kept “short, sweet, and straight to the point.”

Chief Burruss lived in Forsyth County until 1938 when his family moved to Cobb County where he resided for the remainder of his life, except during World War II when he served in the US Army Air Force from 1942 to 1945 in the European theater. He was a lifelong member of the Zion Hill Baptist Church in Forsyth County.

Chief Burruss started his law enforcement career in 1960 when he was recruited by Former Cobb County Sheriff Kermit Sanders to become a deputy sheriff with the Cobb County Sheriff’s Department. In 1965 he was appointed by former Cobb Commission Chairman Earnest Barrett as Chief of the Cobb County Police Department, where he served until he retired as Assistant Director of Public Safety in 1990. He was a lifetime member of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, The Peace Officers Association of Georgia, and in 1971 was appointed as an original member of the Georgia Board of Public Safety by former Governor Jimmy Carter. He continued to serve on the board which oversaw the operation of the Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and Georgia State Crime Lab during the administrations of Governors Carter, Busbee, & Harris.

He was a member of Pinetree Country Club where he enjoyed playing golf for many years. He was very devoted to his country, the State of Georgia, his family and especially his wife, children and grandchildren.

Carmichael Funeral Home in Marietta is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 14, 2016 from 6 pm to 8 pm at the funeral home. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 15, 2016 at 1:00 pm in the chapel of the funeral home with the Reverend Scotty Davis, Chaplain for the Cobb County Police Department, Dr. Colin Harris, and Sheriff Neil Warren officiating. Internment will follow immediately after the service at Kennesaw Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be his two sons Stanley & David Burruss; and his four grandsons Bryan, Bud, Charlie, & Tommy Burruss. All active and retired law enforcement officers & personnel will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make contributions to the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes Attn: Development Division PO Box 1000 Stockbridge, GA 30281 or the Cobb County Police Department Chaplain Program 140 North Marietta Parkway Marietta, GA 30060

Burial arrangements under the direction of Kennesaw Memorial Park.