DERBY — A 41-year-old man from Derby took his own life today, after a 3-hour standoff with police.
At approximately 9:40 a.m., police say Burton Lawson telephoned and advised that he was at his residence and was going to take his own life with a rifle.
State troopers as well as the Orleans county Sheriff’s department and a DMV officer responded to the residence, located at 2876 Vermont Route 105, and set up a perimeter around the home.
Lawson was alone inside.
Vermont Route 105 was blocked off and traffic was detoured around the location for approximately 3.5 hours.
Police say they made telephone contact with Lawson and after about 3 hours, they heard a single gunshot.
Entry was made by police into the home, where they found Lawson dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
According to a statement issued by police, Lawson had not made any threats towards law enforcement or to anyone else.
So sad… R.I.P. Burton
So very sad, if there was any family, I feel for them.
if he had a family he left them in the most selfish way. Why can’t people get help and advise to deal with their troubles/I just hope this wasn’t over some woman
Suicide is the result of a disease called depression an often requires the help of family and others to direct and educate those in need of mental health.
Further more….for those that have slipped deep in their own darkness are seeking relief…selfish was a little harsh.bitter and cold.this man does not need to be judged postmortem,nor ridiculed… for now his family will suffer,and morn.but that’s now where things are at and should be left.a member of our society is no longer.for whatever reasons….it should sadden us and only promote the need for awareness of others and the signs of metal health failing because honestly…who willing admits they need help till it’s too late.for all of us offering help is far more productive than sitting by waiting for someone to ask…and if they don’t.and if you me and others wait to offer,tradgedy like yesterday occurs.its just sad as modern and educated as most are today.its not enough.
Very well stated. Depression is blind to all but the sufferer.
Amen I lost my brother & son too suicide. Most courageous men I’ve ever known.
Sorry to say but committing suicide is not courageous
BRAVO. How right you are. Why can’t more people be kind, empathetic, and knowledgeable about a sensitive subject before they spew words.
A refreshing comment. My faith in humanity is always replenished now and again 🙂
My comment was for “Names are not necessary” who posted a great comment.
People who take their own lives are not Selfish! They just want to end their pain.
They have help and doctors for that. Suicide is the selfish way out the way they leave their family behind
When things become so bad that you think suicide is the only option, keep in mind, that person is not thinking rationally. They’re not thinking about the family they’re leaving behind. They’re not thinking about making an appointment with a doctor. At that moment, pain, what ever kind, has consumed all rationality. All they can think about is how to make the pain stop.
Cathy, I am Burton’s brother! Silence your hatred! My brother was the MOST UNSELFISH person I have ever had the pleasure to know or love! He is missed so painfully by so many people! Your opinion is not one of comfort. My brother was full of sorrow for so many years and he never wore it on the outside where others would see it! Instead, he tried so hard to always keep others happy! He simply gave all he had until there was no more to give! My baby brother is gone and your words remain, so choose them wisely!
Clearly, I meant to write I am Burton’s SISTER!
The trauma of this shocking and quite needless tragedy will leave everyone badly affected. For someone to commit suicide – and for them to do it in this extremely violent way, is horrific especially when there is so much advice and help available from professional agencies. I am so sorry for this man’s family, I am also sorry for the police who were dragged into this when Mr. Lawson rang them to tell them what he was about to do. He gave police the ‘hope’ that they might be able to dissuade him from his desperate act. Is suicide truly preventable like all the agencies tell us? Is suicide a self-motivated violent act or a call for help? Or is it borne from mental illness and a combination of issues? All I know is that the Northeast Kingdom has a high level of suicides and always has dating back to Victorian times.
Vt. State Police – 1:25 pm Tue Jun 2nd, 2009
Lawson was traveling north on Dane Hill when his 2003 Dodge Neon traveled off the east side of the road. Lawson’s vehicle struck a culvert and ditch causing moderate front end damage. Lawson suffered only minor injuries.
Lawson was subsequently arrested for DUI and cited into Orleans District Court.
MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH
CASE#: 09B201586
TROOPER: S/T M. LaCourse STATION: Derby
CONTACT#: 334-8881
DATE/TIME: 5/27/09 1446 hrs
LOCATION (specific): Dane Hill, Charleston, Vt.
VEHICLE #1 OPERATOR: Burton Lawson AGE: 33 SEAT BELT? Y
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Derby, Vt.
DESCRIPTION OF VEHICLE: 2003 Dodge Neon
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE: Moderate front end
WEATHER: Clear
ROAD COND: Dry
BOB, what is the meaning to this?? My brother is gone! You know NOTHING of his struggle or the immense loss we are trying to deal with! Seriously, get a hobby!
@Bob
“All I know is that the Northeast Kingdom has a high level of suicides and always has dating back to Victorian times.”
Can you cite sources? Please be careful of the information you post. The small town mind will take anything posted here as truth.
The small town life is either what makes you, or breaks you. It’s the reason people tend to commit suicide. The gossip. The constant exaggeration and regurgitation of here say. People become reclusive to avoid public shame about rumors. The employers pay next to nothing, and they can, because there is nothing that pays better within reasonable distance. The cost of living is ridiculous. The unemployed benefit seekers do less and live better.
Take a look at the bigger picture and your answers will reveal themselves.
I am sorry for the loss of this family and sorry for this man who suffered these afflictions
State Police Bust Alleged Derby Drug Lab – Caledonian Record
Posted by Cited in article on August 5, 2016
Posted in: Vermont Marijuana News.
A tip from a suspicious landlord led to the discovery of a drug lab in Derby.
Shane M. Goodell, 19, of Derby, pleaded not guilty to felony charges of marijuana possession, manufacture of a regulated drug and misdemeanor charges of reckless endangerment, careless or negligent operation of a motor vehicle and excessive speed. Judge Howard E. Vanbenthuysen set conditions of release and bail of $25,000.
Orleans Superior Court
According to an affidavit filed by Vermont State Police Tpr. Callie R. Field, police were contacted by Burton Lawson, 41, and his mother Cheryl Lawson, 66, on July 9 who said they believed there was a lot of drug activity in an apartment they had rented to Goodell at 2876 Route 105 in Derby.
Burton told police he had been in Goodell’s apartment and seen the drug related activity himself.
“Burton advised there are DABS, mollies, mushrooms, marijuana and acid in the apartment,” wrote Field in her report. Burton Lawson also told police there were firearms inside.”
Lmfao .. I had been in there too..a lot. Dabs and weed.. No Molly, mushrooms or acid.
Guilt finally destroyed him! Hooray.
U should be ashamed of yourself. U can have your opinions but to say that this was somehow deserved disgusts me. He was a sweet man. Harmless in every way. Everyone has their own struggles. U are disposable.
I see no reason to post all this bad stuff….OK so the mam had problems….Why post stuff that is over with in the past It will only rehurt the family’s left behind. Sad day in Derby..RIP. Bert. your hurt is over.
Dear Anonymous
Unlike you, my name is on here for all to see and in relation to you asking me to ‘cite my sources’ the whole point of such a statement is so that YOU get off your ass and check sources for suicide rates in the NEK. Many studies, including mine, have gone right back to the first reported incidents of suicide since 1865. Now it is time for YOU to find out the facts; to do your own leg work, and to stop sitting there whining about the ‘mentality of small town life’ being a causative factor of suicides. No amount of gossip mongering will lead someone to commit suicide. The larger picture for both small towns and large cities is the enormous amount of stigma – repeat – stigma attached to seeking help for mental health problems. Posts like yours inanely ‘asking for sources’ and blaming village mentality just show me and others how lazy and inept you are that you THINK SO SMALL and see only the small picture. Next time you post on here use your name too. It’s always easy to hide behind the name ‘anonymous’ isn’t it – that’s what the senders of poison pen letters do, and that’s what gossips and tittle tattles do. Yes, the man had problems, he has left a bereaved and devastated mother, and the reasoning behind posting his past incidents with the police – which are all on the internet for anyone willing to check – is so that WE can put some perspective on this tragedy, so that WE can put this tragedy into some sort of context. I don’t just read an article on the Newport Dispatch and think “Ah, what a pity, my heart goes out to the family’. Instead, like many others, I think ‘I wonder what led to this, what factors caused this?”. To fail to do this is to do the deceased a disservice because, after all, what they want is to be understood. We can all sympathize with their loss, we can all empathize with their pain, but only by understanding their motive and the causative factors can we be of any assistance in the future to those who have suicidal thoughts or actions.
Amen I lost my son and brother to suicide. We need more awareness
To take your own life is a sin itself but our God is so gracious and merciful so I know that he is resting in our Lord’s eternal paradise . He was someone that was so special to me at one time in my life and this news absolutely breaks my heart . Ppl please stop being so NEGATIVE because you don’t know the struggles one person has to the next. We all make mistakes in life . I pray and send my love to all family and friends . RIP Dear sweet Burt ❤
Whoever write Anonymously “guilt finally destroyed him, hooray”….. You really NEED a reality check right to your mouth!!!
I’m sure you must be saying that cus you have A LOT of guilt and shame yourself so instead of doing yourself a favor and work on your own shit you get on a site regarding a man’s suicide and write some lame ass and judgememtal shit like that. “GROW UP”
How would you like it if this was you or your family member on here??? Ignorant People like this tend to forget that NOBODY IS PERFECT!!! So do everyone a favor and keep your judgemental thoughts to yourself or better yet take a long ass look in the mirror cus your thinking is crazy and inhumane!!!!
Some of these comments only prove how ignorant people are when it comes to suicide and mental illness. When you have to live with it then you can open your mouth!