LTC Burns has served with the Louisiana State Police for over 25 years. He began his career at Troop A in Baton Rouge in 2001. He has held supervisory positions at Troop A, the Deputy Superintendent of Patrol's office, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, and Operational Development, where he served as Commander and the Department's Chief Legislative Liaison.

In 2022, LTC Burns was assigned as the first Commander of the newly formed Professional Standards & Compliance Section, which was created to oversee the Department's implementation of 21st Century Policing initiatives.

In 2023, he was promoted to Major and served as Executive Staff Officer to Colonel Lamar A. Davis. He later served as Executive Staff Officer to Colonel Robert P. Hodges and as the Strategic Support Command Inspector, overseeing the commands of Operational Development, Public Affairs, Professional Standards & Compliance, and Recruiting. Most recently, he served as the Chief Administrative Officer, overseeing the Department's finances as head of the Office of Management and Finance before beginning his current role as Chief of Staff in 2026.

LTC Burns holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Criminology from LSU and a Master of Business Administration from LSU Shreveport. He is also the President of the Louisiana Trooper Foundation.