John Burke attended O’Fallon Technical High School before joining the Rough Riders for his senior year, graduating in 1969. He was on football and wrestling teams.

John then went on to have a 30-year distinctive career in the field of law enforcement and corporate security.

John joined the St. Louis Police Department in 1973. His talents and hard work were quickly recognized with important assignments. He served as an Academy Instructor, as a Sergeant/Supervisor of the Hostage Response Team and the Vice Division. He was also Director of the Police Academy, responsible for the training of all recruits and other officers. John was promoted to Lieutenant and served as Commander of the Fugitive Unit and in the Third District where Roosevelt High is located. John received five Chief’s Letters of Commendation and two congratulatory letters from the Chief of Police.

John participated for 18 years in the Police Olympics in boxing, wrestling, softball, basketball, and racquetball during his 20-year police career. Also, during this period, John donated his time as a part-time wrestling coach at the Missouri School for the Blind. He assists and supports the charity golf tournament which allows its students to participate in a variety of sports.

John also was involved with Anheuser-Busch corporate security on a part-time basis for 10 years, coordinating the numerous police officers providing security at Busch stadium during Cardinal baseball games.

After John’s outstanding police career and achievements, he joined Anheuser-Busch as Investigator-Manager-Assistant Director for the Corporate Security Department for 12 years, and then became Director of Operations, responsible for establishing and maintaining standards for all domestic and international properties owned by Anheuser-Busch!

John was honored at the 2023 Guns n Hoses Boxing Match for his 37 years of volunteer work primarily as Coach for the police officer’s boxing team, but also as a Founding Father of the largest fund raising event for The Backstoppers organization, which provides financial and emotional support to the families of police officers, firefighters and paramedics killed in the line of duty.  Over the last 37 years, this event has given over $11 million dollars to the Backstoppers! And our very own John Burke was a HUGE part of that, not just as a Founding Father, but as a charter member of the original planning committee and serving as a coach, promoter, organizer, and participant.

More important to John than his career and his other accomplishments is his devotion to his family. He is married to Betty (Testa), also a 1969 Roosevelt graduate. They have two sons: Greg, and his wife Anna, have three children, Patrick, Charlie, and Blake. Christopher, his wife Ashley, have a daughter, Lane.

John embodies the spirit, dedication, selflessness, loyalty, and inspiration of the Rough Rider. The Alumni Association is honored to induct him into the Hall of Fame.

A MESSAGE FROM JOHN ON HIS INDUCTION TO THE RHS HALL OF FAME