The Echo Valor Honor Roll is a tribute to the extraordinary men and women whose lives reflect deep sacrifice, courageous service, and unwavering integrity. Drawn from the worlds of military, law enforcement, rescue, and healing, each individual honored here has not only served with distinction—but has made a personal impact on the life and mission of Echo Valor’s founder, David Burnell. Their wisdom, courage, and character have shaped his path and continue to influence the spirit of this movement. As honorary advisors, they represent more than accolades—they embody the values Echo Valor stands for. This Honor Roll is both a recognition and a legacy, reminding us that valor leaves a mark, and those who lead with heart continue to echo through the lives they’ve touched.

David Burnell is the founder and voice behind Echo Valor, a platform where lived experience meets creative expression to honor warriors, rescuers, and survivors. A decorated U.S. Air Force veteran and humanitarian, David has spent his life on the front lines of conflict, catastrophe, and rescue—always mission-driven and guided by purpose.

With over a decade of honorable military service, David has led and supported operations in special tactics, search and rescue, counter-terrorism, and anti-human trafficking. From founding the Urban Warfare Center—a revolutionary training ground for real-world readiness—to serving as a public safety SCUBA instructor and high-risk protective agent, his career is defined by courage, care, and commitment.

David is also a National Taekwondo Champion, an accomplished filmmaker, and a seasoned storyteller. His creative works—over 16 commercial films and now a growing library of spoken ballads and musical tributes—transform raw experience into resonant narratives that inspire, heal, and remember.

Echo Valor is his mission reborn through music and media—where service is honored, stories are preserved, and the voices of the brave echo beyond the battlefield.

Robert Lee Burnell was a Master Sergeant in the United States Army and a respected veteran of military service. After his time in uniform, he served honorably in the Los Angeles Police Department from 1961 to 1984, protecting and serving through some of the city's most turbulent years. His career was marked by discipline, bravery, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

More than his badges and titles, Robert was a mentor, a devoted father, and the quiet force behind generations of courage. To his son, David Burnell—the founder of Echo Valor—he was the greatest of heroes. His legacy of strength, service, and moral conviction became the compass that guides Echo Valor's mission to honor those who live and serve with valor.

Robert’s final call came at the age of 82, when he lost his last fight to leukemia. Even in his final days, he remained courageous and composed—just as he had been in every chapter of his life. He now stands watch on the other side, forever remembered, forever honored.

As a key member of the Echo Valor Advisory Council, Jimmy Massey brings the grounded wisdom of real-world leadership, tactical excellence, and quiet resilience. His presence strengthens the foundation of our mission—to honor those who serve, protect, and sacrifice in silence. Jimmy embodies what Echo Valor stands for: courage without fanfare, and strength forged in service.

A veteran of the elite 82nd Airborne Division, Jimmy transitioned from military service to a remarkable 26 year career with the Rapid City Fire Department. He rose through the ranks to become Battalion Chief, leading teams through fires, rescues, and crisis events with calm precision. He served on the department’s Specialized Rescue and Dive Rescue Teams, tackling some of the most dangerous and demanding missions in the field.

During his tenure he mentored hundreds of firefighters and medics, building a legacy of readiness, accountability, and mission-driven excellence. Jimmy brings that same leadership and integrity to Echo Valor—offering insight, experience, and a warrior’s heart to everything we create.

His voice reminds us: those who have been in the fire are best equipped to lead others through it.

Major (Ret.) Massey dedicated 26 years of honorable service to the United States Air Force, where he rose from the enlisted ranks to become a commissioned officer—earning his commission after reaching the rank of Master Sergeant. A true Cold War warrior, he served in the Strategic Air Command (SAC), standing alert in missile silos for grueling three-day shifts, ready to carry out one of the most consequential missions on Earth. Later, he continued his missile launch career from the skies, transitioning to the aircraft-based delivery systems of America’s nuclear deterrent.

During his time at Vandenberg Air Force Base, he performed the duties of a full bird colonel while holding the rank of major—testament to his unmatched competence, leadership, and sense of duty. He was also entrusted as the squadron commander of the Pride Hangar, a role symbolizing excellence in maintenance, readiness, and esprit de corps.

Though he was medically retired just before receiving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel due to complications from lupus, his legacy is defined by far more than rank. He was a servant-leader who shaped those around him through quiet strength and tireless work. Among those deeply influenced by his character was his son, Jimmy Massey—an elite U.S. Army paratrooper veteran—and David Burnell, founder of Echo Valor, who also saw in him a model of what it means to serve with honor.

Lt. Col. Massey stands as a pillar of generational valor—proving that the greatest legacy is not just in what you accomplish, but in those you inspire to serve after you.

Jeffrey Denning is a U.S. military veteran, retired police officer, and nationally recognized expert in peer support and critical incident stress management. With decades of service in law enforcement—including during 9/11 with the Dallas PD—and a background in military special operations and counterterrorism studies, Jeff brings a mission-ready mindset to mental wellness and leadership.

As an author, professional speaker, and trauma-informed trainer, he helps warriors, first responders, and organizations build strength through science-backed practices in stress resilience, gratitude, and recovery. Jeff holds a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and he brings a deep insight into human performance, recovery, and purpose-driven leadership to Echo Valor.

In addition to his operational background, Jeff has authored several books and created leadership development programs rooted in real-world experience and academic research. His work bridges the gap between tactical readiness and emotional wellness, helping teams thrive under pressure while staying grounded in values, faith, and service. At Echo Valor, Jeff’s presence strengthens our mission to empower the hearts and minds of those who serve.

Mike Fuller was a Vietnam-era U.S. Army Green Beret whose path took him through elite military service, behind-the-scenes operations, and ultimately into the hands-on craftsmanship of purpose-driven tools. As the founder of TOPS Knives, Mike created blades that embodied the warrior mindset—durable, mission-ready, and forged with meaning. His designs served not only soldiers and law enforcement but anyone who lived by strength, preparedness, and principle.

Mike operated with deep conviction in both open and hidden spheres, but he was always unmistakably real to those he mentored. One of those was David Burnell, founder of Echo Valor, who was shaped by Mike’s wisdom, grit, and presence. Mike didn’t teach from a pedestal—he taught from the edge, where real living happens.

Mike Fuller’s mission came to a close in 2021, the year he passed away. But the fire he lit continues to burn in the hands and hearts of those he influenced. His name is etched on the Echo Valor Honor Roll as a warrior, craftsman, and friend whose impact will never dull.

Dan Laguna’s legacy is forged in fire—literally and figuratively. A former Green Beret and elite Little Bird pilot with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), Dan has lived a life defined by extraordinary sacrifice, relentless resilience, and brotherhood in the most dangerous corners of the world.

On July 20, 1994, during a mission with the 160th, Dan and fellow pilot Carlos Guerrero were involved in a catastrophic helicopter crash. Carlos tragically lost his life. Dan was pulled from the wreckage with third- and fourth-degree burns and multiple broken bones. Against all odds, he survived, endured countless surgeries, and returned to operational duty just one year later—serving seven more years before retiring from the Army.

Dan’s service didn’t end there. In 2004, he joined Blackwater USA as a contractor in Iraq, continuing to fly in high-risk combat zones. On January 23, 2007, tragedy struck again—his brother, Art Laguna, and four teammates were killed when their helicopter was shot down over Baghdad. Dan’s own aircraft was severely damaged by enemy fire, yet he managed to escape an advancing insurgent force and fly his crippled aircraft back to the Green Zone, saving his team.

Dan Laguna is the author of You Have to Live Hard to Be Hard, a deeply personal tribute to those he served with and lost. His story is not only one of combat, but of faith, healing, and the strength it takes to keep going when others can’t.

Dan has profoundly influenced Echo Valor’s founder, David Burnell, and stands as a symbol of courage, loyalty, and the price of living a life of service. We are honored to include him in the Echo Valor Honor Roll.