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William M. Burke
Incident
Location: Illinois Weapon: Person Offender: Struck and killed
Special Officer William Burke was struck and killed by a New York Central train while involved in a foot pursuit of a trespassers near the intersection of 67th Street and South Park Avenue, in Chicago, Illinois.
The man had climbed onto the tracks with Officer Burke in pursuit when the train struck and killed both men.
Officer Burke was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Officer Burke was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- 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.
Special Officer Burke served with the New York Central Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Burke.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
New York Central Railroad Police Department has lost 14 officers; 6 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1922, 2 officers at New York Central Railroad Police Department were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1922, 13 officers in NY were lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 1922, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1922, 101 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 32. Of the 6 lost to accidents at New York Central Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 38; the middle age was 35.
William was 32. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37.
William was 32. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
William was 32. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
August holds 16.7% of these deaths at New York Central Railroad Police Department; February holds the most, 33.3%. Tuesdays: 16.7%.
August holds 9.7% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 10.3%. Tuesdays: 14.5%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 42.9% of all 14 deaths at New York Central Railroad Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30.1% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
New York Central Railroad Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Clyde F. Bartlett
Jun 10, 1919
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John Boss Aug 24, 1919
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Thomas T. Cook Jul 12, 1920
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David H. Barnes Jul 28, 1920
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Louis F. Schroeder
Jan 17, 1921
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Augustus E. Long
Jan 17, 1921
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William F. Hillen Feb 24, 1922
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William M. Burke Aug 29, 1922
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Louis L. Shirley
Apr 14, 1923
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Bernard J. Olszewski
Apr 7, 1929
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Frederick Glover
Feb 16, 1930
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William E. Deal
Oct 11, 1933
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Adolph Fredick MacLemale
Dec 22, 1935
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Humphrey Akin See
Apr 19, 1940
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from New York Central Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
