Web posted
Friday, February 15, 2008
Cowley student found dead
Cause of death unknown
By CHRIS ROBINETTE
Traveler Correspondent
Cowley College sophomore Derek Burroughs, 20, was found dead at his parents' home Thursday. The cause is still unknown, according to Cynde Feste, who had talked to a family member briefly this morning.
According to Feste, the Burroughs family had been sick throughout the week with the flu. Derek Burroughs had laid down with a headache on Thursday around 4:30 p.m., the family wasn't able to wake him some time later and called Emergency Medical Services. Derek Burroughs was taken to the hospital where was pronounced dead.
"[There is] absolutely no indication of foul play," said Ark City Police Chief Sean Wallace.
Dr. Aaron Waters of the South Central Kansas Regional Medical Center suspected that the cause might have been a cerebral aneurysm, according the Wallace. The final word on the cause is pending on the autopsy results.
Derek Burroughs graduated from Ark City Christian Academy. Principal Cynde Feste said Derek Burroughs was "respectful." Feste had known Derek Burroughs since he started kindergarten at four years of age, she had also taught him for two years in junior high. Derek Burroughs had a huge interest in history, and he liked to read, according to Feste.
"He was a history lover, and when it came to history, that is when he became enthusiastic," Feste said.
Derek Burroughs also held an interest in sports, especially baseball.
He "always knew everything about sports. So, we'd always quiz him about stuff like 'Who won the Heisman (Trophy) in 1978?' He would know it right off the bat." said freshmen baseball player for Cowley College, Colt Loehrs.
His father, Dave Burroughs, is the coach of the Cowley College baseball team. Derek Burroughs served as the score keeper.
"It's a big change for our baseball team," said Loehrs. "He came to all of our practices. He was the one who kept our stats."
Loehrs said that Derek Burroughs was "always happy."
He was also a good student, with a 3.91 GPA. He was a pre-law major. Marlys Cervantes, Humanities Instructor at Cowley College and Derek Burroughs' advisor, said, "He was an exceptional student and very focused on his future goals."
"He will be greatly missed, both for his personality and to help others in class."
Derek Burroughs was going to graduate from Cowley College in May. He had applied to Oklahoma State University.
"It's a tragic loss in a lot of ways," said Cervantes.
Traveler reporter David Wolman contributed to this story.
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