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Patrolman

Joseph P. Burke

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch June 18, 1932

Age 34

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

Badge 4470

The Vigil Panel 64 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 1,236

Incident

Patrolman Joseph Burke died of a gunshot wound he received while attempting to apprehend a robbery suspect. Patrolman Burke and two other officers were informed that there was a robbery in progress inside 2320 Seventh Avenue, Manhattan. Two officers entered through a connecting store, and Patrolman Burke stood guard at the side door on 136th street. The two officers inside the store were able to apprehend two suspects, but a third ran out the side door. When he was confronted by Patrolman Burke, the suspect opened fire, striking Patrolman Burke in the head. The suspect and two lookouts fled. The suspect that shot Patrolman Burke was apprehended a block away by other officers, but the two lookouts escaped. They were arrested later in the day when the other suspect told officers where they could find the men. Patrolman Burke was removed to Harlem Hospital, where he died six days later from his wound. The suspect was later convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. He was executed on January 10th, 1934. Patrolman Burke was a U.S Army WWI veteran who had served with the New York City Police Department for six years and was assigned to the 32nd Precinct.

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Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-EB28F954
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Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Burke gave the New York City Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department New York City Police Department

Type Police Department

Location New York, NY

Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 18, 1932

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

Age 34

Badge Number 4470

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun

Military Service

Joseph P. Burke served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Patrolman Joseph P. 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 97,759 officers honored here.

In NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At New York City Police Department, 365 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 29.5% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Police Department

365

of 1,237 officers

29.5% Felonious

NY — Statewide

728

of 2,147 officers

33.9% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,759 officers

0% Felonious