Ronald T. Burgett, 73, of Topeka, Kan., formerly of Dittmer, died Oct. 23, 2020, in Topeka. Mr. Burgett was a police officer, first with the St. Louis City Police Department, then for Woodson Terrace, where he was awarded Officer of the Year. He then worked for the De Soto Police Department and retired as Police Chief of the Hillsboro Police Department. He was a Vietnam War veteran of the U.S. Navy, a member of St. Louis Masonic Lodge 1 and served on the Board of Directors for the Valle Ambulance District. He was born April 2, 1947, in Blytheville, Ark., the son of the late W. Travis and Mary Lee (Swift) Burgett.
He is survived by his wife: Linda (Fitzsimmons) Burgett of Topeka; two children: Ronald T. (Gidget) Burgett Jr. of Buffalo, Mo., and Tammy Adams of Topeka; two sisters: Peggy Vancil and Carla Cole; a brother: Steve Burgett; three grandchildren: Faith Burgett, Reece Adams and Riley Adams; two step-grandchildren: Kegan Jones and Shelana Jones; and one step-great-grandchild: Wesley Harris.
He was preceded in death by a brother: Danny Burgett
Visitation is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home, 220 N. Main St., in De Soto. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at the funeral home, officiated by Terry Crank. Burial is in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Arrangements are under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home.