The DEA Honor Roll
Official Line of Duty Deaths
James J. Burke
Rank: Detective
Shield Number: 496
Command: 048 Detective Squad
Date of Death: 12/13/1946
Cause of Death: Shot - Robbery
Detective James Burke was shot and killed on a robbery stakeout in a store on Webster Avenue in the Bronx. When the two robbery suspects entered, Detective Burke burst from his hiding spot and opened fire on them. Both men returned fire, killing the detective.
The suspects were apprehended approximately two months later. Both were sentenced to death and executed on July 22, 1948