Correctional Officer Richard James Burke, Florida Department of Corrections, Florida

Correctional Officer Richard James Burke

Florida Department of Corrections, Florida

End of Watch Sunday, October 12, 1980

Richard James Burke

Correctional Officer Richard Burke was stabbed to death at the Florida State Prison while escorting death row inmates from their cells to the shower. The subject was already serving a death sentence for murdering a couple after robbing them.

The subject who murdered him was sentenced to death and subsequently executed on January 7th, 2014.

Officer Burke had served with the Florida Department of Corrections for only four months. He was survived by his wife and two children.

Bio

Age 48
Tour 4 months
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Stabbed
Weapon Edged weapon; Shank
Offender Sentenced to death

Most Recent Reflection

View all 32 Reflections

I was there that night , a young new officer with 5 months on the job . The human body holds 7 pints of blood . We keep the white tile floors cleaned and polished like glass . I watched as Officer Burke bled out from the numerous stab wounds on that tile floor . The nurse did everything he could do . I remember of how it looked like gallons , I mean GALLONS of blood was FLOWING and spreading all over and around on the floor . I remember the " little voice " in the back of my mind telling me " that is too much blood , they've got to stop it , that is just too much " . Then Mr.Burke got a certain look on his face and the was a feeling that just came onto everyone and you could just feel and tell that his spirit had just left . Rest in Peace

Sgt.A.M.Palazzolo Sr.
Florida Dept Corrections

October 9, 2017