J. Harvey Burke
Agency patch
Sergeant

J. Harvey Burke

Richmond Police Department — Richmond, VA
Felonious
End of Watch July 28, 1925
Age 39
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Badge 118
The Vigil Panel 49 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Sergeant J. Harvey Burke was shot and killed while escorting a couple to their home to retrieve belongings. The couple had been involved in a domestic dispute and Sergeant Burke was sent to monitor the removal of items at 507 North 7th Street. While on the scene the male suspect produced a handgun and shot the female. As Sergeant Burke attempted to disarm the man, he was shot and killed. The suspect was convicted and executed on February 19th, 1926. Officer Burke had served with the Richmond Police Department for nine years.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-5D0E60FF
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Burke gave the Richmond Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Burke.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Richmond, VA
Platform Identity rpd.richmond.va.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 28, 1925
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Age 39
Badge Number 118
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

Sergeant J. Harvey Burke is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.

In VA, 394 of 656 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.1% of this state's fallen. That is 60.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Richmond Police Department, 20 of 40 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Richmond Police Department
20
of 40 officers
50% Felonious
VA — Statewide
394
of 656 officers
60.1% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. J. Harvey Burke's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How J. Harvey Burke Compares

Age at Death
39
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
9
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. Harvey Burke is highlighted in Jul.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. Harvey Burke was killed by handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location