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John William Burk
Incident
Chief Deputy Sheriff John Burk was shot and killed by one of two men he attempted to arrest on warrants charging them with assaulting a policeman in Ironaton a few nights earlier.
The men had beaten the Ironaton officer with his own pistol, which they kept. Chief Deputy Burk had located the suspects in Talladega and went alone to arrest them. The suspect who shot him was apprehended in Jefferson County the next day. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. In March of 1923 his sentence was commuted to life. He was paroled on May 30, 1940.
Chief Deputy Burk is buried in Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery, Talladega, Alabama.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Burk gave the Talladega County Sheriff's Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Talladega community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Deputy Sheriff Burk.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Talladega County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1918, 10 officers in AL were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1918, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1918, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 36. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. John had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 36. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 5.2% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Tuesdays: 15.1%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Talladega County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 12.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Talladega County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Talladega County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
