CHATHAM, GA. — A former Fort Drum commanding general and his wife died earlier this month in an apparent murder-suicide.
Retired Lt. Gen. Thomas N. Burnette Jr., 74, and his wife, Susan Burnette, 78, were found dead in their Southbridge, Ga., home on April 1, Chatham County police said.
The retired general was Fort Drum’s senior commander from 1995 to 1997.
Police were initially called to the couple’s home after their daughter received an alert that the house alarm had gone off, Chatham County Police spokeswoman Betsy Nolen said Thursday.
She described the incident as an apparent murder-suicide.
Police found their bodies after entering the home, she said. A black pistol was found in Gen. Burnette’s hand, according to Savannah Ga., news accounts.
Both bodies were subsequently taken to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for autopsies, Ms. Nolen said, declining to comment further because no other information was released by police.
After leaving Fort Drum, Gen. Burnette served as the deputy chief of staff of the Army for operations and plans.
Before his retirement, he was given the Defense Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security and the nation’s defense.