Agent Burns was looking for evidence of illegal aliens in a river bottom near Calexico, California, searching places of concealment in heavy under growth, an exceptionally strenuous activity requiring considerable physical exertion. Early I the morning he began to suffer pains in the chest area, prompting him to immediately return to the office. He was taken home by another officer and was then conveyed to the El Centro Community Hospital by his wife. He passed away less than two hours after being stricken. Death was caused by an occlusion of the left coronary artery due to arteriosclerosis.