Police Officer James Burke Wiki, Age, Wife, Kids, Net Worth and More

All About Former Suffolk Police Chief James Burke

James Burke (age: 59, born in 1964) is a former police officer whose recent arrest occurred at Suffolk County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park, with park rangers overseeing the incident.

He faces several charges, such as public lewdness, solicitation of a s*x act, criminal solicitation, and indecent exposure. Although he has been released for now, he is scheduled to appear in court on September 11, 2023.

This incident is not Burke’s first encounter with the law; he was convicted of assaulting a heroin addict. Additionally, he is known for his association with the Gilgo Beach Murder case.

Burke Arrested on Monday for Solicitation

The formerly disgraced former Suffolk County police chief, James Burke, found himself in legal trouble once again when he was apprehended on August 22, 2023, for attempting to engage a s*x worker at a Farmingville park located on Long Island.

County law enforcement officers were responsible for detaining Burke, and according to statements from the Suffolk County district attorney’s office, he faces charges of public indecency and exposing himself.

Marykate Guilfoyle, the spokesperson for Suffolk County’s executive office, also indicated that he would be charged with solicitation of a s*xual act and criminal solicitation.

The arrest occurred at 10:15 a.m. within the Suffolk County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park premises, where Suffolk County Park Rangers were responsible for taking Burke into custody. The Rangers had been monitoring the area due to complaints of illicit activities, and it was during this surveillance that Burke allegedly attempted to solicit a plainclothes officer for s*xual services.

Upon being apprehended, Burke attempted to use his status as a former police officer to evade arrest, but the officers disregarded this and took him into custody.

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James Gets 46-Month Sentence for Assault and Obstruction

In a prior legal matter, Burke received a 46-month federal prison sentence for assaulting a Smithtown man who was handcuffed and under police custody at the Fourth Precinct in Suffolk County.

During Burke’s 2012 arrest, prosecutors revealed that they had the cooperation of 11 police officers who had witnessed the assault.

Burke confessed to assaulting Christopher Loeb, who was a heroin addict after Loeb had broken into Burke’s department SUV parked outside the officer’s residence.

The thief had stolen a duffel bag containing a gun belt, ammunition, handcuffs, adult toys, and cigars. Subsequently, Christopher Loeb filed a lawsuit in the case and reached a $1.5 million settlement with Suffolk County.

Botched Handling of Gilgo Beach Murder Case

Burke was tasked with overseeing the Gilgo Beach Murder investigation. Still, allegations suggest that he neglected his duty to thoroughly investigate the case, resulting in a delay in the apprehension of Rex Heuermann.

John Ray, the legal representative for the families of Gilgo Beach victims Jessica Taylor and Shannan Gilbert, also claimed that Burke conducted a cursory examination of the serial murder case, excluding the FBI and other agencies involved in the investigation of the 11 bodies discovered along Long Island’s South Shore in 2010.

Former state Senator Phil Boyle has consistently criticized Burke’s handling of the Gilgo Beach murders, even urging the state to scrutinize the actions of the former police chief. Boyle reiterated his belief that Burke obstructed efforts to resolve the case for an extended period.

James Burke Early Life and Education

In 1964, James Burke (age 59) was born in New York, United States. He began his career as a police officer in New York City during the 1980s. He later transitioned to employment with the Suffolk County Police Department in Suffolk County, New York.

In 1995, an internal inquiry within the Suffolk County Police Department revealed that Burke had a connection with a woman involved in prostitution. In 2012, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone appointed Burke as the chief of the Suffolk County Police Department, a position he held until 2015.

During his tenure as chief, Burke oversaw the Gilgo Beach serial killings investigation. His management of the Gilgo Beach case, including the decision to terminate cooperation with the FBI, received criticism from various law enforcement officials.

James Burke FAQs

Ques: How old is James Burke?

Ans: 59 (as of 2023).

Ques: Where does James Burke live?

Ans: Suffolk County, New York, America.

Ques: From where was James Burke arrested?

Ans: Suffolk County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park.