Officer Edward Burke was killed when he fell down a staircase as he was escorting a prisoner.

On December 21, 1952 at about 7:50 pm, Officer Burke was escorting a prisoner down a staircase at the rear of 911 N. 23rd Street when he was injured in a fall. Officer Burke died from his injuries including a ruptured speen resulting in a peritoneal hemorrhage on January 3, 1953.

Officer Burke joined the department in 1935 and served at the Carr Street Station. He served 3 1/2 years in the Marine Corps during WWII and was a former prize fighter. He was survived by his wife, Catherine, four sons and a daughter. Interred: Calvalry Cemetery.