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

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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. He was sentenced to death and subsequently executed on January 7th, 2014.

Officer Burke was a United States Navy Korea and Vietnam War veteran and 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
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Stabbed
Weapon Edged weapon; Shank
Offender Sentenced to death

correctional Facility, prisoner custody

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Most Recent Reflection

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Rest in peace Mr Burke… Thank you for your service to our wonderful country. I remember that terrible day. I left FSP in 1978. Death Row was a quiet wing due to the solid, concrete floors separating the three wings. When I read about your murder, it hit me hard. I worked that post twice per week in 1978 and remember Knight very well. Animal. Surely, a poster boy for the death penalty…Appeal after appeal after appeal. Nearly 40 years this went on. Nonetheless, several bleeding heart liberals protesting outside the fences at the time of his execution. The death penalty is surely a deterrent against capital crime, remembering the spike in murder for that short period of time it was abolished in early 70s. May God give your family and friends ever lasting peace knowing that you are with Jesus.

Stephen A. (former CO)

October 10, 2025