Police Officer Joseph Burson

Officer: Holly Springs Police Department, Police Officer Joseph William Burson

Date: 6/17/2021          Location: Holly Springs, GA  FACTORS (1,2,8,11)

Perpetrator(s) Involved: Ansy Dolce

Criminal Activity History/Involved: Yes, Ansy had a previous arrest in Cherokee County. Also, if it is the same Ansy Dolce who was previously in NY, he had at least four prior charges for violent crimes there with a 1st Degree Robbery conviction in 2011./Yes, a minor traffic infraction was observed, reporting has not indicated if the vehicle was stolen, or other more serious crimes were involved.

Mental Illness: Unknown.

Substance Abuse History/Involved: Unknown./None stated.

Race/Sex/Age: Black/Male/29

What prompted the initial contact with the killer? At around 11 p.m. on June 16, 2021, police officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by Ansy Dolce after they observed it speeding.

Actions taken by subject toward police: Police Officer Burson approached the vehicle when it came to a stop and then at some point Dolce tried to escape by driving away and dragging Burson with the vehicle.

Reactions by the police: As he was being dragged to his death, Officer Burson managed to shoot Dolce, killing him and causing his vehicle to crash.

How murdered? Officer Burson was fatally dragged by a vehicle during a traffic stop.

What could have been done differently for the officer to still be alive? This incident demonstrates the dangers officers face while conducting traffic stops. Vehicles are deadly weapons and if a driver fails to comply once the officer is out of their vehicle, they are at great risk.

Would the officer have been justified to use deadly force before being murdered? Officer Burson appears to have used justifiable deadly force as soon as his life was in danger.

Outcome for the cop-killer: Dolce was justifiably shot dead by the officer he was dragging while trying to flee in his vehicle.