Patrolman Peter John "Sonny" Burke

Peter John "Sonny" Burke

Patrolman Peter Burke was shot and killed after being flagged down by a business owner regarding two suspicious males at 1145 pm on Illinois Avenue in Atlantic City.

As he approached the men, one of them opened fire with a sawed-off shotgun, fatally wounding him.

One suspect was immediately arrested and ultimately acquitted. The second suspect fled to Cuba but returned to the U.S. in 1990 and was arrested. He was sentenced to 15 to 20 years for the murder and four years for unlawful flight. His parole was denied on December 30, 2005.

Patrolman Burke was one of the first officers to sign-up for the K-9 force when it was established. He and his K9 Thor made the first K( arrest in the department's history. K9 Thor was in the patrol wagon when he was shot.

Patrolman Burke was a United States Navy Korean and Vietnam veteran and had served with the Atlantic City Police Department for 15 months. He is survived by his wife, three brothers, and five sisters.