Richard P. Burns, Sr.

Newark Police Division — Newark, NJ

Felonious

End of Watch February 23, 1975

Age 47

Tour of Duty 19 yrs

Badge 575

The Vigil Panel 115 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 57

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: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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

Department Newark Police Division

Location Newark, NJ

Platform Identity npdpd.essex.nj.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 23, 1975

Tour of Duty 19 yrs

Age 47

Badge Number 575

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Sentenced to life

Patrolman Richard P. Burns, Sr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In NJ, 264 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40.9% of this state's fallen. That is 13.3 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

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.

Newark Police Division

of 58 officers

48.3% Felonious

NJ — Statewide

264

of 646 officers

40.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious