The 4th of July holiday weekend began tragically for West Wendover with the death of Detective Donald Burnum Thursday night.
Burnum’s body was discovered outside the city limits south of Wendover near US 93.
A 23 year veteran of the West Wendover Police Department Burnum began as a patrolman and worked his way up to become the lead detective of the department.
Burnum played a crucial role in the arrests and convictions of teenage killers Cody Patten and Toni Fratto for the murder Mickie Costanzo.
According to police reports no foul play is suspected and the investigation is being handle by the Elko Sheriff’s Department.
Donald was a good man and a good friend. He will be missed. So sad..
My heart is saddened. You were my best friend when we were just little shavers. Your super silly laugh and sparkling eyes always lit up my Life. Thank You for being my Friend. My deepest and sincerest condolences to Family and Friends…
My heart is heavy hearing this news!!Donald was an amazing person with a heart of gold. He was so compassionate when it came to my little brother and mom. The family has been in my prayers since I heard… May the peace of God be with you all.
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s been years since I lived in Wendover, but Donald was one of the first people I ever met. He was a good man and a good police officer. Prayers for his family and friends.
Diana
Wow. It’s been a couple of decades since we last talked as friends. This is no way to catch up. I’m sad to say goodbye in such a circumstance and ache for Donald’s family.
You will be missed thank you for everything you were a kind and caring person
Donald was a good man and his family was so proud when he decided to become a police officer and continued to work his way up. He will be missed but still live in our harts.
What a loss! An amazing guy that will be missed by many!
A very good friend. God speed Burnum.
Today I shed tears! There are no words to express the sadness that has overcome my soul as I learn of the death of a dear friend. Although I only knew Donald for a short time….the impact he has had on my life is immeasurable…One of the kindest most compassionate men I have ever met. Donald was a meticulous, articulate Detective. Worked tirelessly to find justice for victims and their families who had fallen into the viscous valley of crime and murder. Tonight, I will pray for Donald and his family and I will pray for answers as to why such a great human being has been taken from so many that admired and respected him and his life’s work. My condolences to West Wendover Police Department. I know you have lost a true comrade! And, my heartfelt condolences to his family. Huge loss!
I don’t know why or how this could have happened. I feel like I should have been there more in the last few years. I hope to see you again. There’s a place in my heart for you that will never leave. We shared a common bond. We were brother’s that shared something very few know or have ever experienced. You will be forever missed and loved. I lost my brother the day you left. I love you. Rest in peace my friend.
My brother was an amazing man whom not only touched the lives of family and friends but so many others in our community. He was very loved by so many, i only wish he could have seen how much. Our family is very thankful for all of the kind words and prayers.
Melissa; Please accept my deepest sympathies for the loss of your brother. would you please contact me Iambabylon@mail.com.
First of all, I would like to point out that, as stipulated in the final pages of lead officer Cory Talor and I quote from his police report on the case and case number: Deputy Report for Case 15EL01092
Supplement
ELKO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
OFFICER REPORT
OFFICER DECLARATION
I hereby cesti£y that 1 am a law enforcement officer, employed by the Elko County Sheriff’s Office, and that I am one of the officers investigating or aware of the facts described in the reports and statements attached hereto. I hereby affirm under pain and penalty of perjury that the facts set out in the reports and statements attached hereto are true to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief except as otherwise noted therein.
Lead Officer; Taylor, Cory
Date of Declaration 07/04/201S
As given in an e-mail by myself to Howard Copeland shortly after recieving its release: It is obviously stated in the police report that Peacock was on the phone with Burnum as he commited his most unspeakable act:
I have no motive in reporting this, even in the face of my family’s lawsuite against whom ever they can find. Of which I would like to report I have no participation in and am discusted by as well as I am with this newspaper report. Of which, regardless of being reoprted to the advocate by myself emmideiately following its release to me that Peakock was not only in a relationship with my brother along with Catherine Petro were on the phone with my brother as he was begging for help of which he recieved none:
Deputy Supplemental Report Case 15EL01092 Page 3 of 4
Supplement
On July 6, 2015 1 retrieved the coroner ‘B report and associated unattended death report regarding this case on Donald Bur-num who was a West Wendover Police Department Detective Sergeant . {See attached reports) I would note that Burnum was prescribed numerous anti-depressants, pain medications, muscle relaxers, sedatives and high blood pressure medication. It was also insinuated during the course of this investigation that Burnum may have had an alcohol problem.
Upon reviewing the report I did note that Burnum was found just outside of the city limits of which he served. Bur-num appeared to have shot himself in the mouth with a Glock .45 ACP pistol.
On July 6, 201S I (Det. Sgt. N. S. Czegledi) took the cell phone found on the lap of the deceased and requested that Dee. Zack Hessing of the Elko Police Departmeht extract the data from within the phone. I advised Det. Hessing that the cell phone belonged to the deceased in this case and a search warrant was not because the expectation of privacy ceased at death.
On or about July 7, 2015 Det. Hessing called and advised that the cell phone was ready and he had moved the data to a coQact disk. I reviewed the text messages near the time reported time of death and observed that Burnum was having a conversation with a person by the name of Shannon (later identified as Shannon J. Baker who is a dispatcher for West Wendover Police Department) . The text conversation was clearly a goodbye from Burnum to Shannon. Burnum concludes the conversation with: Send the coroner; Goodbye Shannon forever; goodbye Panda.
On July 9, 2015 1 interviewed Shannon on the phone. Shannon stated she started dating Burnum about eight months ago but it didn’t work out because he was living with another female by the name of Cat Petro. Shannon stated that Burnum had told her that he did not have a relationship with Cat Petro and that she was only a rooümate but said she believed otherwise and called off the relationship and started dating someone else.
Shannon went onto to state that Burnum had previously quit drinking but started up about a week before his death.
Shannon said that on the date of Burnum r s death she had just left work and spoke to Bur-num on the phone for about ten minutes (confirmed according to call log) .
I asked Shannon if Burnum had a “nickname tt for her and she said yes, Panda. I would note that Bur-num’s last message to Shannon was, “goodbye panda a .
At this time there is no evidence of criminality in the death of Burnum and there is clear and convincing evidence to believe this is a suicide by self—inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
End of report.
Donald’s story should be told. It was my brother who died. Along with all the rest that are failed to be mentioned by this report that once belonged to West Wendover. So many suicides and the truth will come out. Regardless of my parents, my sister, Howard Copland, or the town of West Wendover.
And as reported I am not Schizophrenic but ShcizoAffective. There’s a difference.
Kurt Burnum