Sordid and violent life of ex police chief James Burke resurfaces amid reports of botched Gilgo Beach murders probe
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: Details of disgraced former chief of Suffolk County Police Department James Burke's sordid life has resurfaced in the wake of Gilgo Beach murders suspect Rex Heuermann's arrest. Although Suffolk's Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison dismissed Burke's link to the Gilgo Beach serial killings case and assured that there was no cover-up during the investigation, Burke's name has long been associated with the case.
Back in 2012, Burke was accused of allegedly blocking FBI's investigation into the Gilgo Beach murders case shortly after becoming the chief of the department. At the time, several media outlets alleged that Burke's move stemmed from him being in the FBI's radar for assaulting Christopher Loeb in custody after the latter stole a bag from Burke's car, which contained sex toys and pornographic material. Loeb also claimed that Burke allegedly had a snuff film which linked him to the Long Island serial killings.
Following Burke's 2016 arrest that led to a 46-month sentencing, reports about his fondness for drugs and prostitutes came to light. A source told the Daily Mail that Burke's colleagues thought he was "uncontrollable" and always "horny." The source claimed that several of his colleagues also described him as a "psychopath."
A look into James Burke's 'reign of terror'
After being appointed the chief of Suffolk County Police Department in late 2011, Burke reportedly enforced a so-called "reign of terror" despite having a career riddled with controversies. Burke was accused of having a sexual relationship with a prostitute in 1993 and was called out for allegedly having sex with the woman in his squad car while wearing his uniform. As per testimonies from sex workers and former colleagues, the incident could not stop Burke from pursuing sex workers or having controversial encounters.
According to the Daily Mail, a sex worker named Lee Ann, alleged that Burke often attended drug-fueled sex parties with escorts in the Long Beach area. She claimed that she had "rough sex" with the former police chief and alleged that she once saw him "grab a girl by her hair and drag her to the ground." A Daily Beast profile for Burke mentioned that the disgraced officer was "well-known to have a penchant not only for frequenting sex workers but for indulging in drugs."
Inside sources claimed that Burke turned his office "into a makeshift bar which was open every night for 'drinks.'" Insiders also claimed that he often asked his staff to "conduct surveillance" on his girlfriend and her ex partners. Burke was also accused of allegedly holding grudges against colleagues and subordinates who he did not like and of allegedly punishing them with threats and demotions.
Sources also accused Burke of building a "top cop" reputation during his time at the department and including dubious policing tactics. They claimed that he also had a penchant for cigars dipped in cherry brandy and enjoyed a close relationship with disgraced local officials throughout his career.
What did James Burke do to Christopher Loeb?
In December 2012, Loeb was arrested for breaking into Burke's department-issued SUV and stealing his bag which allegedly contained sex toys and porn. After being taken into custody, Loeb was kept handcuffed on the floor of an interrogation room before being brutally battered by Burke. Reports suggest that Burke even allegedly threatened to kill Loeb before being stopped by a junior cop.
Loeb's episode exposed a series of scandals involving Burke, including a probe that saw the latter blocking an FBI investigation into the Gilgo Beach serial murders case. Many believe that Burke attempted to prevent FBI from working in the case because he was aware of the bureau investigating his attack on Loeb and an alleged subsequent cover-up, a source reportedly told the New York Post in 2015, as per the Daily Mail.
At the time the source said that Burke "never wanted us involved in [the Gilgo Beach] case because he knew we were investigating him." A former Suffolk County family judge alleged Burke was able to block the FBI through "something to do with 'initial jurisdiction' and other bureaucratic gibberish." Burke was eventually charged with conspiring to obstruct justice and violating Loeb's civil rights and sentenced to 46 months in federal prison along with three years of supervised release. The judge who jailed Burke said that the former chief "corrupted a system."