Born in Pittsburgh, I received my degree in journalism and moved to Rochester, New York to teach high school English, literature and speech. I moved back to the Pittsburgh area to pursue a career in law enforcement and became a police officer for the City of Duquesne in 1994.
While performing my duties as a police officer, I was able to continue utilizing my skills as a writer and teacher. In 1997, I was called upon to help design the federal "Safe Schools Program" a comprehensive module initiated by the FBI and U.S. Attorney's office to reduce the incidence of school violence. With that program, I became a federal instructor teaching this module to schoolteachers, administrators and parents.
In 2003, I joined the Mifflin Township Historical Society and became president of the organization in 2005. My passion for history has led me to write the books Duquesne, Bedford and its Neighbors, Pittsburgh's Rivers, and Homestead and the Steel Valley as well as numerous newsletters and magazine articles.
I feel lucky enough to have been featured on KDKA Radio, in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the McKeesport Daily News and the WQED Rick Sebak documentary, What Makes Pittsburgh Pittsburgh?
I lecture at historical societies, schools, businesses and at various civic organizations on topics that include local history, writing and law enforcement.
 

Images of America:
Homestead and the Steel Valley

Many decades ago, people from the world over came to a strange land to start a new life. In doing so, they tolerated unimaginable work conditions without the benefit of sick days or paid vacations. They often endured six or seven day work weeks and twelve hour shifts to feed their families here and abroad. Whether they labored in the steel mills and factories of these communities or stayed at home and raised their children, the labors as well as the hardships of these people are the foundation of this country and we as a society can never repay the debt that we owe to those who came before us. What we can and must do is to take every opportunity that is presented to us to preserve the memories of our past for future generations.
 

• Finding My Father -- Everton's Genealogical Helper, February 2008
• Living Life Away From the Job -- American Cop Magazine, January/February 2007
• Pittsburgh's Rivers: A Glimpse into History, Travel and Adventure -- Western Pennsylvania History Magazine, Spring 2006
   

© Daniel J Burns 2008