Gov. Signs Execution Warrant for Man Convicted of Killing Two Sheriffs

HARRISBURG – Governor Tom Corbett has signed an execution warrant for Dustin Ford Briggs, who was sentenced to death for killing two Bradford County sheriff’s deputies in March 2004.

Briggs was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to death for shooting Deputies Christopher Burgert and Michael VanKuren.

Burgert and VanKuren were attempting to serve a warrant on Briggs for non-payment of fines, costs and restitution. Briggs shot the two deputies when they confronted him outside his home, according to court records.

After fleeing into a wooded area, Briggs was the subject of a massive manhunt until he was captured by State Police.

Briggs, now 34, is held at the State Correctional Institution at Greene. His execution by lethal injection is scheduled for March 8.

This warrant, signed Jan. 9, is Corbett’s 11th execution warrant.