How It Ended: Neighbor Helps Catch A Serial Killer
Alternative content
Neighbor Calls Police Leading To Killer
Neighbor Calls Police Leading To KillerPublished: July 6, 2009
Updated: July 7, 2009
A curious neighbor who called police, helped solve the case of a violent serial killer that rocked the Upstate.
Thirty miles away from a community gripped by fear, a Gaston County man’s phone call to 911 helped catch Patrick Tracy Burris.
The story begins early Monday morning in Dallas, NC. Michael and Terry Valentine live less than 200 feet across from an abandoned home where Burris and two others entered in the middle of the night.
Michael saw the Ford Explorer sneak under a carport; he recognized the vehicle from descriptions given by police as the one they were looking for from Cherokee County. He called 911. Police arrived, and the couple heard shouts, then gunfire, then an officer’s cry that he was hit. Officers fired back, and soon thereafter, Burris was dead and one officer was rushed to a local hospital, and later released with a gunshot wound to the leg.
Valentine spoke first with NewsChannel 7’s Jonathan Carlson moments after Sheriff Blanton declared Burris the killer.
Watch Raw Interviews with the Valentine’s before it was announced their tip led police to the serial killer.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
Yesterday I was thanking everyone for this nightmare being over.The police,the detectives,the deputies who responded and the one who fired the shot that took that monster out.I did in fact forget to thank the Valentines and for that I am sorry.To Mr. and Mrs.Valentine..Thank you so much for making that call.If it weren’t for you this would still be going on and we OWE you so much more than words can say.Personally,I want you to have that reward money.You two are the reason this whole nightmare is over.Now granted the reward posters said info leading to an arrest,however its not your fault he was a loon and shot a cop,hence getting himself killed.Had that not happened he would have been arrested.I don’t feel a technicality is a reason to withhold a reward for these folks.They made the call..PAY UP! I am pretty sure they whole town would agree with me.Again from my heart to yours THANK YOU!!
I would like to add my thanks to the couple who called police and therefore ended this man’s reign of terror. Not everyone would’ve made the effort but thanks to this couple the area can once again feel some security and no more people will die at this man’s hands. My heart goes out to those who lost loved ones before this monster finally met his maker. The reward money should definately go to the Valentine’s immediately. After all its now a “closed case” God bless them for getting this menace off the streets!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH MICHAEL AND TERRY. YOU HAVE CERTAINLY HELPED OUR COUNTY REST BETTER. THE LORD WILL BLESS YOU IN SO MANY WAYS!! I THINK YOU GUYS DESERVE EVERY PENNY OF THE REWARD MONEY. YOU TWO ARE HEROS HE COULD HAVE VERY WELL KILLED THE COUPLE HE WAS WITH AND THERE IS NO TELLING HOW LONG THIS COULD HAVE WENT ON OR HOW MANY MORE VICTIMS THERE COULD HAVE BEEN. SO THERE AGAIN….THANK YOU VERY MUCH MR AND MRS VALENTINE
I THINK THIS LADY AND HUSBAND DESERVE THE REWARD. IF IT WOULD WORK THIS WAY ALL THE TIME, I MEAN PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER AND LOOKING OUT FOR EACH OTHER,WITHOUT A TRAGEDY INVOLVED. WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD IT WOULD BE. THANKS TO ALL INVOLVED WHO WORKED DELIGENTLY AND OVERTIME I’M SURE TO MAKE THIS A SAFER WORLD. THANKS TO THEIR FAMILIES FOR LETTING US BORROW THEM.
THANK YOU Mr and Mrs. Valentine. You have helped to bring peace to a whole community. I hope God blesses you in so many ways!!!!
I would like to say thank to the many men and women of the law enforcemnt team that was on this case. When I would pull up at check points with a tear in my eye and chocked up, I would always tell them thanks for what you are doing. Although many of us were scared because of this man, we were able to be home with our families where they could keep us safe, while these officers knew this man was out there they could not be home with their families. They were out protecting us. Like Mr. Blanton said thank you seems cheap at this point, but please know that words can never express how greatfull I am. Thanks so much.
I would like to thank Michael and Terry Valentine for the call they made that I feel sure saved many lives, and much heart ache. Thanks again. Jessica Ridgeway
burn in he**.....you are lower than scum. thanks to the officer for sending you to the real judge and jury. the media is right “CASE CLOSED”
I am not sorry this monster is dead.I am however sorry the families will never know why he took their loved ones away from them,and that they will never get to curse this bast@@@ for the dog he is to his face.I am so glad this nightmare is over and hopefully with some healing my town can move on and forward.Thank you to the deputy who ended this.You are a hero to this entire town.My thoughts and prayers to you for a speedy recovery.Thank you to all the officers involved in this entire investigation.You all deserve a BIG thanks from us all.We can rest well now.
Where is the man and woman that was with him?
Advertisement