Tpr. John S. Burke was killed while attempting to apprehend two bank robbers in St. Joseph county.
Trooper Burke had received word of the robbery and a description of the vehicle and suspects. He positioned himself along a county road and stopped the car. While Trooper Burke was searching one of the suspects, the other drew a gun and fired three bullets into his back.
To make sure Trooper Burke was dead, the suspects drove their vehicle over the body of the fallen trooper. They were later apprehended in Indiana and the vehicle, money from the robbery, and the murder weapon were recovered. The suspects were convicted of their crimes.
Trooper Burke was the ninth MSP officer to die in the line of duty.