Winnetka Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch Thursday, May 23, 1957
Add to My HeroesRobert Eugene Burke
Patrol Officer Robert Burke was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious person near the intersection of Green Bay and Church roads.
Officer Burke was on patrol, at about 9:30 pm, when he observed the man standing on the side of the road with a suitcase. He parked his patrol car and exited the vehicle. He took about three steps from the vehicle when the man suddenly produced a revolver and fired four rounds, striking Officer Burke once in the chest. Officer Burke was able to return fire with one shot but did not strike the suspect.
As Officer Burke lay on the ground, the suspect approached him and then pointed his gun at a witness. The suspect then walked across the street and committed suicide. No motive has ever been identified into why the suspect shot Officer Burke. The man was identified through fingerprints but had no criminal record.
Officer Burke had served with the Winnetka Police Department for five years and had previously served with the Evanston Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife.
Bio
- Age 31
- Tour 7 years
- Badge 4
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
- Offender Committed suicide
Most Recent Reflection
View all 11 ReflectionsOfficer Burke, I am a retired Evanston Illinois Police Officer. I remember being informed of you being slain after leaving the Evanston Police Department when I was a rookie . The year is now 2019 soon going into the year 2020. Your are not forgotten.
Patrolman Kenneth Labuda
Evanston Illinois Police Department (Retired)
November 2, 2019
Recent LODD Deaths

Police Officer Jeremy R. Labonte
Roswell Police Department, GA
EOW: February 7, 2025

Officer Jason Roscow
North Las Vegas Police Department, NV
EOW: February 4, 2025

Major Jeffrey A. Burke
New Jersey State Police, NJ
EOW: December 31, 2024

Corporal Dennis Francis Kelly
Delaware State Police, DE
EOW: December 21, 2024

Officer Baldino Morales-Sánchez
Mayagüez Municipal Police Department, PR
EOW: January 25, 2025

Border Patrol Agent David Christopher Maland
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: January 20, 2025

Sergeant Mark Butler
Navasota Police Department, TX
EOW: January 15, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Jesus Vargas
Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: January 15, 2025

Police Officer II Colton Dale Pulsipher
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, NV
EOW: December 12, 2024