Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Richard Burns was shot and killed when he attempted to intervene in a robbery at a downtown tavern at 59 Edison Place in Newark. Patrolman Burns was inside the tavern when several men entered and announced a robbery at 6:15 p.m. Officer Burns attempted to arrest the men and exchanged shots with them. The officer was able to wound one of the suspects but was mortally wounded himself. Patrolman Burns was transported to Martland Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds while in surgery. All of the suspects were apprehended and sentenced to life in prison. One of the suspects died in prison, and the other two were eventually paroled. Patrolman Burns had served with the Newark Police Division for 19 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-E8AC1CBE- 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.
Patrolman Burns gave the Newark Police Division 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newark community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Burns.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Richard P. Burns Sr. 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 NJ, 229 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.4% of this state's fallen. That is 35.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Newark Police Division, 28 of 58 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 48.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard P. Burns Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Richard P. Burns Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard P. Burns Sr. is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard P. Burns Sr. was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
57 officers from Newark Police Division are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
