The Cold Case Unit was created in 2016 to review unsolved homicides and other major crimes in the City of Savannah. The mission is to help bring closure to victims of these crimes.
There are seven part-time detectives assigned to this unit, bringing with them more than 180 years of total policing experience and more than 130 years of investigative and forensics experience.
Cold Case Investigators
Paul McBurney, 30 years of law enforcement experience: Chatham County Police Dept. and SCMPD. 12 years of investigative experience.
Billy Ray, 30 years of law enforcement experience: Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, Chatham County Police Dept., BOE, and SCMPD. 27 years of investigative experience.
Dennis Malott, 22 of law enforcement experience: Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, Chatham County Police Dept. and SCMPD. 15 years of investigative and forensics experience.
Roy Willis, 30 years of law enforcement experience: Chatham County Police Dept. and Effingham Co. Sheriff’s Office. 25 years of investigative and forensics experience.
Tarra Smith, 8 years of law enforcement experience: SPD. 3 years of investigative experience.
Cold Case Unit Commander: Lt. Zachary Burdette
T: (912) 525.2799
F: (912) 201-6732
