CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s been 30 years since Kim Dellinger’s brother, CMPD Officer John Burnette, was killed in the line of duty.
"You never get through it," Dellinger told WCNC Charlotte's Sarah French.
She reflected on the legacy he left, decades later.
"He decided he wanted to be a police officer because he wanted to help people," Dellinger said.
Burnette and Officer Andy Nobles were two of the first community policing officers in the city. They were killed in October of 1993, chasing a car theft suspect. Both officers were shot and killed.
"The news clipping came through, and I knew in my gut," Dellinger recalled. "I knew that was my brother."
They were the first two CMPD officers shot and killed at the same time in the line of duty. Sadly, they wouldn’t be the last.
Dellinger said she’s been watching the coverage after four officers were shot and killed in east Charlotte.
"What was that like for you, when you saw the news of the officers?" French asked.
"For one, it brings back the trauma that we went through," Dellinger said. "But mostly, I feel for the families."
French asked Dellinger what she would like to say to the loved ones of the officers.
"They’ve been on my heart and in my prayers," Dellinger said. "Y’all have a long road ahead of you, but you will make it."
Dellinger said one thing has sustained her through it all.
"What helps me get through, is God," she said. "It’s hard because you have to think of how they lost their life. Yes, they were protecting and serving us. Doing a good thing. I think about him every day. I have three children and seven grandsons, and every one of them knows the story about John. They know about the police officers. We have kept his memory alive."
Since her brother's death, the Burnette Nobles Golf Tournament has been held to honor Burnette and Nobles. The event raises money to support causes near and dear to their hearts. This year's tournament is set for Oct. 7.
Contact Sarah French at Sarah@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
If your loved one was impacted by this incident, WCNC Charlotte hopes to make this process less painful with our More Than A Number initiative. With your help, we want to share who your loved one was with our viewers in North Carolina and South Carolina. When you're ready, fill out the form below or send us photos, memories and other details about them to desk@wcnc.com.