'Why I Ran' to feature local man
W. Ashley resident who turned his life around will share story about life-altering run-in with law
The Post and Courier
A police investigator photographs the bullet-riddled Ford Crown Victoria in which Ron Burris led police on one of Charleston County's most infamous car chases in August 1999.
The Post and Courier
Ron Burris' life and outlook have come a long way from the life that led Burris to prison.
One of the most infamous police pursuits in Lowcountry history will be profiled this month in a new Biography channel television series that chronicles dangerous, high-speed chases.
The series, titled "Why I Ran," will feature the case of West Ashley's Ron Burris in a half-hour episode scheduled for Monday. The show aims to get inside the minds of people who lead police on hair-raising pursuits.
Driving a stolen car in August 1999, Burris led officers from three jurisdictions on a winding and treacherous chase that lasted several hours before ending in West Ashley in a hail of police bullets. Thirteen rounds pierced Burris' body, leaving him critically wounded. He recovered, only to spend the next 4 1/2 years behind bars.
Burris, 40, holds no grudges. In fact, he maintains that police had every right to shoot him. He credits the episode with helping him turn his life around. He kicked a crack cocaine habit that had derailed his life for 15 years. He rediscovered his faith, found his bearings and recommitted himself to his church, his family and the wife who refused to leave him.
Burris said he was happy to oblige when contacted by the show's producers. "I don't mind sharing my story, and if I can help someone else by doing that — great," he said. "It's not good to run from the police like that. You put a lot of people at risk."
His reasons for running were fairly simple. "I ran because I could. The drugs were a little bit more powerful than the blue lights."
Kevin Dill, executive producer of the show for Intuitive Entertainment, said he was particularly taken by Burris' efforts to redeem himself in the wake of the chase and the resulting prison stint. "He really used the experience to rebuild his life," he said. "It's a heroic story."
More than four years after his release, Burris remains sober and active in his church. He has a solid marriage, a young daughter and another child on the way. He also runs a growing landscaping and construction business.
In Monday's episode, Burris helps deconstruct the chase for viewers. A North Charleston police officer involved in the pursuit also weighs in. For Burris, it was his first time seeing some of the video footage from that day.
"I was like 'Wait a minute, did I just go through a school zone at 125 mph?' " he said. "Wow. I just could not believe I did that."
Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or gsmith@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Well if he can turn his life around that's a great story and testimony to others.
September 2, 2008 at 6:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
simon_birch (anonymous) says...
Well it would have been nice, had the Post and Courier told this story on Sunday or Saturday so we could have tuned in on Monday. Running the article in Tuesday's paper so we could watch in Monday nite. But.....maybe it did and I missed it.
September 2, 2008 at 6:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jeff61 (anonymous) says...
He should still be in jail.
September 2, 2008 at 7:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pullmyfinger (anonymous) says...
Only 4 1/2 years, should of been 15 years, must of had Andy Savage as a lawyer.
September 2, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
number1volsfan1 (anonymous) says...
Making celebrities out of criminals. What's next, Al Parish on Biggest Loser?
September 2, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
southerngirl45 (anonymous) says...
I think it is wonderful that this man has turned his life around and can be a testimony to others.Why don't you people that have posted here this morning think a little positive for once!Sure I am one to give my oppinion about scoundrals like Al Parrish and scumbags like the weirdo in Summerville for having child porn on his computer.They to me are scum of the earth,but when drugs have consumed someone's life to the point of no return,and something positive does come from it,how 'bout some positive feedback for a change.Apparently this man has turned his life around and I for one applaude him.When alcohol and drugs take over people's lives not only does that person suffer but others involved in their life.EVERYONE IS EFFECTED! I say GOOD FOR YOU MR.BURRIS and don't expect much support from those that do not have the courage to do what you have done.!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 2, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
number1volsfan1 (anonymous) says...
Yeah, it takes a lot of "courage" to run from police and endanger other people's lifes. Sorry, the "poor criminal", "just give them a chance" doesn't work for me.
This type of sensationalistic reality television is a slap in the face for all hard working, law-abiding citizens.
September 2, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lc (anonymous) says...
In response to the "must have had Andy Savage" comment, Ron Burris was represented by the Charleston County Public Defender's Office. The head of the office is a very talented lawyer, Ashley Pennington.
September 2, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chuckiejeep (anonymous) says...
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone! Apparently, there are alot of non-sinners out there. I guess i'm partial to this because I know him, but I also know Burris is twice the man any of you who are making these comments will ever be. -Robby Rob
September 2, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jeff61 (anonymous) says...
So a guy that spends 15 yrs of his 40 yr life jacked up on drugs, then steals a car and put countless people in danger should be looked at as hero,, sorry there are plenty of people that managed not to do the things he did that should be reconized. By the way has he paid for the car he stole and ruined???
September 2, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RedSnappa (anonymous) says...
I have become very good friends with Ron and Kim. I am appalled at some of the comments on here. When did stealing a car carry a death sentence? To those of you that congratulate him for turning his life around, I thank you. I can truly say that this man has changed, and he spends many hours at jails and prisons, lecturing others. And before you condemn me for being a bleeding heart out for prisoners rights, know this....I am a former deputy sheriff! In fact when Ronnie and I go fishing, we refer to ourselves as the Ex- cop and the Ex-con. Keep it up Ron.....we are all proud of you!
September 2, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
luckylady (anonymous) says...
chuckie - I am glad he has turned his life around - it's amazing how some people can do that and others can't find their way.
With that said, on your comment "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone!" all I want to say is that we all probably have committed sin or are committing sins to some degree (there are so many sins)- but more than likely the nature of our sins does not include life threatening maneuvers to other people.
I hope Burris remains on his current life choices.
September 2, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
I am very proud of Ron and how far he has come.He was always a kind,good natured guy-but with a drug problem.When this first happened it made me sad to see he hadn't turned his life around yet.I always held out hope for him and I'm thrilled he's doing so well now.He started to get in trouble a long,long time ago.It was the typical running with the wrong crowd and someone exposing them to crack and crime,making it all seem so appealing.I'd love to talk to Ron again.
September 2, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
jeff61-I wouldnt call him a hero.I just hope other people can look at him and realize it's never too late to change and turn your life around.
September 2, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Perspective (anonymous) says...
redsnappa - What does you being an ex-cop have to do with anything? We are supposed to bow to your opinion because you are an ex-deputy sheriff? Hell, the Internal Affairs Office has a whole list of "ex"-deputy sheriffs. Expecting to be recognized for something you used to be is silly.
He didn't just steal a car. During his chase he put hundreds, maybe more than a thousand peoples' lives at stake. As I recall from years ago, didn't the pursuit end near or in some way involve a nearby daycare?
Yes, it is nice to see that he has made the best of it, but it is obvious that many people, including me, think he should have done a lot more time before getting out. Just another example of the piss poor prosecution of criminals that endanger us all everyday.
September 2, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
Perspective The chase ended right by North Bridge Piggly Wiggly.Very high traffic area,very dangerous.I lived right by there at the time.I think redsnappa was mentioning his former service to show that he's not a typical person that has a lot of criminal sympathy-nothing more,nothing less.
September 2, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RedSnappa (anonymous) says...
Perspective, So How much time should one serve for auto theft? 15 ,20 years? 4.5 years is a long time behind bars. I wasn't expecting anyone to bow to my opinion, just a different insight into someone that knows Ron. I do not condone what he did, but I know he is not the same person that he was all those years ago. He truly has turned over a new leaf, and is a loving father to his daughter and devoted husband to his wife Kim. I hope that nobody in your family ever gets incarcerated, as I would not want you to have to forgive someone.
September 2, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
RedSnappa-Do you get to see Ron often?
September 2, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RedSnappa (anonymous) says...
cool....you have mail
September 2, 2008 at 3:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
As do you....
September 2, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
freechips (anonymous) says...
What this man did was terrible, and yes, he deserved harsh penalties for the sake of protecting our citizens. Perhaps he even deserved more than he got. I cannot say. What I can say, however, is that this guy was shot 12-13 times, died and was resuscitated, faced the judge, received his sentence, did his time, and by that time, paid his debt to society, and now, instead of being a common thug back on the street like so many others, he is a productive, honest, hard-working member of society and has his life together, thanks to Jesus Christ, this man's Faith in God, and, oddly enough, thanks to the justice system (something I thought I would never hear myself say). I have met this man, and I can tell you that he is obviously, and conspicuously, not the person he once was. No one would suspect that this Ron Burris had ever done such a thing by meeting him or dealing with him on a professional level.
This man still has some bullets in him and some of his body will, for the rest of his life, be held together with pins and rods. I'm not saying he didn't deserve it, faulting the police, or syaing that I feel sorry for him. I'm just saying that no one really has the right to put this man on trial again, and no one really can say that a man that was shot 12 times didn't get what he deserved. He lived. Get over it. I, for one, will be thankful, and chalk it up to a miracle because of how this man's life has been turned around.
Ron, I am glad, and thank God, that you are still with us, and that you survived your former life of crime and punishment. You got what you deserved, and possibly even a bit more (I'm honestly not sure). Now, it's time for folks to let you move on with your life and do bigger and better things without trying to drag you down. Keep your chin up, but stay humble. Don't worry about the bitter people here.
Sincerely,
Free Chips
September 2, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
ColdBeer I am so shocked that no one was hurt or killed.It had all of the ingredients of a recipe for disaster.Highly populated area,criminal on drugs,high speed chase and cops popping off hundreds of rounds like fireworks in a heavily populated area.I absolutely agree that he shouldn't be glamorized or put into hero status.I knew Ron many many years ago and he was a funny,well mannered,good guy.Then came the drugs...This is a prime example why crack shouldnt be legalized.However,I'm not blaming the drug.We all have a choice to stay away from crap like that.I just hope maybe someone can learn from this.And you're right the system has failed us as a community.But it failed us years ago when the courts let some of these guys as teens slip through with slaps on the wrist.I saw it first hand.
September 2, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
freechips (anonymous) says...
Ron Burris is not being given hero status or glorification to my knowledge. This is a story of a criminal drug addict and car theif having his life turned completely around for the positive. It's sad that we can't be happy about that good turn-out without wanting to continue to make someone pay a price that was already paid, in my opinion. If this man were still a threat, then I would want him in prison too, but he isn't. This is a positive story with the kind of good outcome that is so sadly rare these days. I personally give all the credit to God, and Ron doesn't get one drop of it. From having talked to him personally, I don't think he credits himself either. I do, however, like the person that Ron has become and can assure you that he has changed a lot. If we can't allow him to change and live down his foolish past, then God won't let us live ours down either, and some of the things we think are not a big deal are a pretty big deal with Him. Of course, not everyone is concerned about what God thinks, or the same "god" either, but the concept remains either way. If we can't forgive, we can't be forgiven.
September 2, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
robeweise (anonymous) says...
This place is always good for a few laughs from the keyboard vigilantes. You guys are so brave.
Anyway, I feel like I should say that Ron didn't go out looking to be on this show. I'm the one responsible for that. My cousin is a production assistant for Why I Ran. He called me a few months ago and said that A&E was flying him all over the country to shoot these stories and if I could get him a good one in Charleston they'd fly him here and we could visit for a couple of days on their tab. He lives in Los Angeles so we don't get to see each other very often.
I lived about a mile down the road from where Ron's chase ended so it's always kind of stuck with me. I looked up the archives here on Charleston.net and was able to give my cousin enough info for them to get in touch with Ron.
I had the opportunity to go to Ron's house the day they flimed this and meet him. I met his wife and his young daughter as well. It was a little surreal watching the footage of him being shot with his little girl standing next to us. You only need to talk to Ron for a couple of minutes to see what a good man he is. He made a mistake and he paid for it, and I'm willing to bet he does more good with his life now then most of you that are hiding behind your computers gossiping on this site like little old ladies.
This show doesn't glamorize the police or the ones running from them. It just tells a story, and this is Ron's chance to tell his. You all cry and moan about our prison system all the time on this site and now here's someone that actually went through and came out a better man.
By the way, the episode with Ron airs next Monday on the eight, it wasn't last night.
September 2, 2008 at 5:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
robeweise Thanks.I looked up the show time and the show info didn't seem to match Rons story.I'm glad to know thats the definite time slot.I can't wait to see it.
September 2, 2008 at 6:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wonderdog (anonymous) says...
I'm glad this guy turned his life around. It's interesting that he had a criminal history and many years of living the way he did, but it took being critically wounded and then 4.5 years in jail to motivate him to clean himself up. A typical slap on the wrist and probation from our judicial system probably would not have had the same results.
September 2, 2008 at 7:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lotsonmymind (anonymous) says...
It does not matter how much time he served. The most important thing is that he changed his life and now is a citizen of the community who is working and being a good family man. People can change guys. Because a criminal is a criminal does not mean he will continue the acts of crime his hole life. I believe any man or woman can change their destiny. He did. Yes he deserved to go to prison, but he his no longer living the life of crime. And to me, that means the system worked
September 3, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
babyd6ll (anonymous) says...
{{{{{{{RON}}}}}}}}} Kudos to you for getting your life together. Hero, no... Helping other by example, yes. I've been praying for you, my brother and a few others for years. I'm ecstatic that you've got your life back enjoy every minute and take nothing for granted.
Your Childhood Friend,
Steph
September 3, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
terraceboy (anonymous) says...
Hey Ron, glad you are doing well. Missed the show and hope to see it soon. It is amazing to see the things you can accomplish with a little faith. Your old friend, Paul Robinson
September 3, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
You didn't miss it terraceboy.It comes on this coming Monday.
September 3, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
Terraceboy-Ron said to tell you thank you for the kind comment and to tell you hello.
September 3, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
diggerman (anonymous) says...
i have known Ron and his family most of his life. i watched what drugs did to him. Ron was in and out of jail for years becouse of drugs. The car chase was a result of him being on drugs. Ron survived the incident and was tried and convicted and sent to prison. Since Ron has been out of prison he has turned his entire life around. Ron is a christian,a great husband,father,hardworker and is now trying to keep others from making the same mistakes that he made. Its hard to beleave that people are still judging him when he has paid for his crimes and is trying to help others. In my book he is a hero and i hope that he will be a hero to others who may benefit from his experiences. Seems that this is what the whole story is about. idigit
September 3, 2008 at 7:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lotsonmymind (anonymous) says...
Kodos Diggerman. I totally agree with you. I don't know Ron but I am sure now that his a great person. It takes alot for one to admit all this sins
September 4, 2008 at 12:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
1whoknowsmercy (anonymous) says...
I once heard someone say that we criticize in others what we don't like about ourselves. There have been times when we have all become judge, jury and executioner especially when we see or hear something we don't like. Someone has commented "I'm not a religious person". Being religious or not has nothing to do with Fact or Truth. Because you don't believe it does not change the reality or the fact that it is truth. The fact is Ron did wrong. So have we, each of us in our own way. The truth is that Jesus Christ forgave us all. All! He said that we have all sinned and fallen short. There is not one person alive today that deserves what we have. And there is not one person alive today that has received what he deserves. That's the difference between God's grace and His mercy. Unfortulately there are those who have never experienced that love or that mercy from the loving and, may I add 'forgiving' God and Father. Ron has. This is not a story about Ron being a hero. It's a story of a merciful, forgiving God who, no matter what we do in life, is waiting for us to come to Him so that when we have finished this short life on earth we can move to what he intended for us from the beginning. It's a story about how God's mercy kept so many people from being hurt or killed. It's a story of God's love and forgiveness. Not just for Ron...but for all. Ron, thank you for being an example of God's grace and mercy--never stop sharing what God has done for you and what He will do for others!
September 20, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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