Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant William Burke was shot and killed after responding to a house that the suspect was trespassing in near the intersection of Montcalm Street and Peralta Avenue at 10:45 am. The suspect claimed the house was his, but it was in fact, not. When he was asked to leave, the suspect drew a pistol and shot Lieutenant Burke in the abdomen. A squad of riflemen responded to the scene and forced the suspect to surrender. The 58-year-old suspect was convicted June 8, 1898, of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He died in Folsom Prison on October 10, 1910. Lieutenant Burk had served with the San Francisco Police Department for over 10 years. He was survived by his wife and two brothers. One of his brothers served in Royal Irish Constabulary.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-7D3D127F- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Lieutenant Burke gave the San Francisco Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Francisco community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant William L. 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At San Francisco Police Department, 66 of 106 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William L. Burke's cause is highlighted.
How William L. Burke Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William L. Burke is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William L. Burke was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
105 officers from San Francisco Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
