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Incident
On Monday, May 1, 1905, Kaufman County Precinct 8 Constable John D. Burk was in the City of Kaufman conducting business. At approximately 3:30 p.m., Constable Burk responded to a report of a disturbance at J. J. Patterson's pool room. Constable Burk arrested M. B. Scott who was intoxicated. Constable Burk had to hit Scott in the head with his pistol when Scott resisted arrest. Constable Burk then allowed Scott to wash his hands. Scott returned with a pistol and shot Constable Burk in the head. Constable Burk died from the gunshot wounds approximately 2 hours later.
On July 15, 1905, M. B. Scott was sentenced to 20 years in the state penitentiary for murder in the second degree. On February 21, 1906, the Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas reversed and remanded the case. On January 9, 1907, Scott pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 3 years and 9 months in the state penitentiary for killing Constable Burk.
Constable Burk was survived by his wife and family, with an unknown number of children. He was buried next to a former wife in an unmarked grave, at Bell Springs Cemetery, in the community of Massey, in Hill County, Texas.
On Monday, May 1, 1905, Kaufman County Precinct 8 Constable John D. Burk was in the City of Kaufman conducting business. At approximately 3:30 p.m., Constable Burk responded to a report of a disturbance at J. J. Patterson's pool room. Constable Burk arrested M. B. Scott who was intoxicated. Constable Burk had to hit Scott in the head with his pistol when Scott resisted arrest. Constable Burk then allowed Scott to wash his hands. Scott returned with a pistol and shot Constable Burk in the head. Constable Burk died from the gunshot wounds approximately 2 hours later.
On July 15, 1905, M. B. Scott was sentenced to 20 years in the state penitentiary for murder in the second degree. On February 21, 1906, the Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas reversed and remanded the case. On January 9, 1907, Scott pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 3 years and 9 months in the state penitentiary for killing Constable Burk.
Survivors
Constable Burk was survived by his wife and family, with an unknown number of children.
In Our Keeping
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Burk served with the Kaufman County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Kaufman community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Burk.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Kaufman County Constable's Office - Precinct 8 remembered here.
John is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 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 1905, 13 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1905, 81 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1905, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 32. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
John was 32. 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 was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 7.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Kaufman County Constable's Office - Precinct 8. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.3% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
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