Eric Jeffrey Burton
June 8, 1976 – May 29, 2024

Eric Jeffrey Burton, 47, residing in Leesburg, Virginia passed away on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Eric valiantly battled Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma and passed from complications of thermal injuries sustained in an accident. Eric was a Warrior until God called him home.

"Fate whispers to the Warrior, you cannot withstand the storm. The Warrior whispers back, I am the storm."

Eric was born on June 8, 1976, in Franklin, Indiana to Jimmie and Peggy Burton, currently of Summerville, South Carolina. Eric was a member of the Tabernacle Christian Church in Franklin, Indiana and attended church wherever he resided. He was a graduate of Belmont High School in Decatur, Indiana. Upon graduation from high school, Eric attended Indiana University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice.

Eric began his career in law enforcement in July 1998 for the South Carolina Highway Patrol as a State Trooper.  He achieved the rank of Lance Corporal and served as a field training officer for seven years including, by invitation, serving as a member of the Governor's Protective Detail for Governor Marshall Clement "Mark" Sanford, Jr. Eric was a certified driving and firearms instructor and ranked as the top firearm marksman in his Highway Patrol Academy Class. In 2004, Eric was recognized as Trooper of the Year for Troop 1 Post A. During his time with the Patrol, he was well respected by those he served with on the Patrol. He worked every day to make a difference in the lives of the people he came into contact. The Patrol experienced a great loss when Eric moved on to a new career.

"Dum Spiro Spero" (While I breathe, I hope).

In April of 2011, Eric joined the Federal Air Marshal Service and received the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Training Center Distinguished Honor Graduate of his Federal Air Marshal class. This award is the Training Center's highest honor and considers total student performance in all disciplines, as well as interaction with peers and staff. The award was presented to Eric for distinguishing himself by demonstrating a superior level of performance during all aspects of training. Eric consistently demonstrated a positive attitude, sound judgement, professional bearing, discipline, initiative and motivation. His maturity, leadership qualities and demonstrated compassion for his fellow students were a true measure of his character. His notable qualities earned him the esteem and respect of his peers and instructors. As the recipient, Eric's performance reflected individual excellence by demonstrating the Training Center's core values of integrity, accountability, respect and service. Eric began his Federal Air Marshal Service career assigned to the San Francisco Field Office conducting regular, critical in-flight security deployments and later serving as a part of the office peer support team. In July of 2014, Eric transferred to the Washington Field Office to continue with in-flight security operations. In July of 2019, Eric was promoted to Senior Federal Air Marshal based on his strong work ethic, operational knowledge of the organization and his support of the collective TSA Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service mission during his career. As a result of his commitment and skillset, Eric was asked to serve as an acting supervisor. He served in that role until being selected as a Federal Air Marshal to the Information Coordination Section (ICS) – Flight Operations. While assigned to ICS, he was selected to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI's) Counter Terrorism Unit in April of 2021. In September of 2022, Eric was promoted to Supervisory Federal Air Marshal in recognition of his outstanding commitment and service. Eric was recognized by his superiors and peers as being dedicated to the Federal Air Marshal Service's mission, diligently securing the Nation's transportation systems through his various assignments.

"With honor and integrity, we will safeguard the American people, our homeland, and our values."

Eric was a quick witted, intuitive, and humorous individual with a contagious smile and laugh. Music was his special passion and he played both the guitar and the drums. He was particularly obsessed with the Dave Matthews Band, enjoying their music and concerts at every opportunity. Eric especially enjoyed biking - mountain, trail, and road, he loved them all. He also enjoyed the opportunity to play a round of golf with his friends.  Edisto Island was Eric's ideal vacation spot and he was always happy there. Eric was an avid follower of college football (The University of South Carolina Gamecocks was his favorite team!) and participated in college bowl game picks. He was an excellent cook and enjoyed sharing those skills while entertaining all of his friends. Eric and his wife Gina were passionate about adopting and rescuing fur babies and have included seven of them into their family over the years.

Eric is survived by his wife, Gina Brock, his parents, Jimmie and Peggy, his brothers, Marty Burton of Trafalgar, Indiana (son Zachary) and Andrew Burton (wife Angela, daughter Abigail and son Andrew Jr. "AJ") of Glen Allen, Virginia. Eric is also survived by his parents-in-law Larry Ronald Brock, Sr. and Phyllis Hardee Brock of Sumter, South Carolina, brother-in-law Larry Ronald Brock, Jr. (sons Darren and William) of Manning, South Carolina, sister-in-law Laura Brock Peeler (husband Boone and daughters Savannah and Beau) of Gaffney, SC and nephew Zachary Brock (father Wade Brock who preceded Eric in death) of Sumter, South Carolina.

A celebration of Eric's life will be announced and held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers and in Eric's memory, the family requests donations to:
The American Cancer Society ( https://donate.cancer.org ).

"And if I go, before I am old, oh brother of mine, please don't forget me if I go. And if I die before my time, oh sweet sister of mine, do not regret if I die." ~ The Dave Matthews Band