Wayne County Outlook

Charges filed against local guardsman
Melodie Phelps
News Editor

On March 20, Sgt. Ricky Burke did what he had been trained to do himself and fellow soldiers during a 45-minute gun battle with Iraqi

insurgents. Now, Burke finds himself in a position he never thought he would

be in The 25-year-old Monticello native, who is a member of the local National

Guard unit, has been charged with premeditated attempted murder in

connection with the battle that occurred just south of Baghdad. It is an

unbelievable turnaround for the soldier who was originally recommended for

an award because of his role in the battle.

Now, Burke, his family and his fellow soldiers are uncertain what will

happen. He is still at Camp Anaconda with the rest of his unit. He has been

assigned to a non-combat role on the base. His leave, which was scheduled

for August, has been postponed until after the September 2 trial day.

Itąs a waiting game until then. Burke said that an Article 32 hearing,

which is similar to a grand jury hearing, has already been held on the

matter.

His mother, Sandy Burke, has been receiving bits and pieces of

information since shortly after the March 20 incident. A story about the

details of the battle with insurgents is reprinted in this issue of The

Outlook. It was originally printed in the Anaconda Times, a

weekly publication from Camp Anaconda. Burke is quoted several times in the

article, as he explains what occurred.

During a recent interview by e-mail, Sgt. Burke told The Outlook that he

was part of a security escort for a sustainment convoy that day. Burke said

that while traveling south of Baghdad, the convoy came under heavy fire by

small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades (RPG).

"The RPGąs and the small arms disabled the front trucks so we returned

fire," stated Burke. "The 617th MPąs (from Richmond, Ky.) were shadowing our

convoy and came to assist."

Burke said the battle lasted about 45 minutes. According to the article

published in the Anaconda Times, 27 insurgents were killed in the fight.

Several were apparently taken as prisoners.

From there, Sgt. Burke is unable to comment on the events. But his

mother, who has taken the story to statewide media sources as well, does

have information she is releasing. She said that a group of insurgents had

been captured and that weapons had been confiscated and thrown into a pile.

An Iraqi prisoner, who had been wounded during the battle, made a move

toward the pile of weapons, when Burke shot and wounded him again.

She said this information came from her daughter-in-law, since her son

is unable to discuss the matter with other family members. Sandy Burke said

that members of the Richmond unit, who had assisted in the battle, later

told superiors that the Iraqi prisoner was too far away from the weapons

pile to be dangerous.

From there, Burke was charged with premeditated attempted murder. Itąs

a charge that his mother and many others donąt understand.

"How can it be premeditated when you are in a 45-minute gun battle with

insurgents," she said during a recent interview.

Itąs the last thing she expected to happen to the son who never caused

any problems growing up. He was a Cub Scout, played Little League baseball,

and played basketball at Monticello High School, where he graduated in 1998.

"He was always a good kid," said Sandy Burke. "He was involved in

sports. I never had to worry about Ricky....I always knew where he was."

He married shortly after graduation, then joined the National Guard in

September 2000. His mom said that he wanted to continue his education and

saw this as a way to be able to afford that.

Burke was manager of the Dollar Mart last fall, when the local unit was

activated. He has three sons. Ryan is 7 years old and twins Jared and Joshua

are 2 1/2. Burke said he planned to re-enlist in the National Guard later

this year.

"I love what I do and I want to continue serving the greatest nation in

the world," he said recently.

Sandy Burke is proud of the way her son has been handling this

adversity.

"His morale has been better than mine would have been under these

circumstances," she said.

Many people have written character letters for Burke, that will play an

important role in the trial next month. Burke said they are important

because they will help show what kind of person he is outside the military.

Burkeąs family is urging anyone who would like to write a letter to do

so as soon as possible. The Outlook will serve as a collection point for

these letters until they are forwarded to Iraq. Anyone who would like to

submit a letter may send it to: Sgt. Ricky Burke, c/o The Wayne County

Outlook, P.O. Box 432, Monticello, Kentucky 42633.

"I am greatly appreciative of the support that I am getting from the

community," stated Burke. "The support that all of the soldiers have gotten

here just goes to show what a great community Monticello really is."

Sandy Burke said there is little else the family can do right now,

except wait.

"We just have to pray and hope for the best," she said. "But I never

expected it to go this far."

Reader Comments

G.Watson (8/16/2005)
8-15-2005 To Whom It May Concern, Regarding Ricky Burke and the inquiry into his guilt or innocence of premeditative shooting to kill an Iraqi prisoner. I know Ricky Burke as a family man and a good person,I attended his wedding and after the birth of his twin sons, was witness to many events in his life at his hometown. A few days before his deployment to Iraq ,I visited his home to talk to his wife,with Ricky reclining on his sofa and his twin boys playing in the floor of their living room,I felt compelled to let him know we will be sending prayers with him and with his division which were heading to Iraq,his reply.. a simple thank you. I really feel this young man knew his duty was going to be a hard one and dangerous.I am not writing here about his guilt or innocence ,in this instance. I am attesting to the fact of a fine young man and soilder who loves his family and country enough to join the ranks of the United States Military Services and fight for and with our country on foreign soil. I am in awe of the mind-set, how anyone can use a word like "premeditated", on a soilder under fire in,during,or after an insurgency!It is beyond my conception! My prayer is for Ricky Burke, I believe Justice and law will be served rightly when he is released of speculative charges of premeditative shooting to kill an Iraqui prisoner in an ambush and war zone . I personally feel there is a very fine line between the definition of "WAR"and "Peace Keeping". sincerly, G.Watson

Audie Kay Barrier (8/11/2005)
I am a DOD contractor currently stationed in Baghdad,Iraq.I am aware of the attack on the convoy and have spoken with several soldiers regarding a viedo they were shown of the attack - apparently taken from a video camera discovered on a deceased insurgent - this is not unusual. Certainly, it does not show all that happens but it can show the seriousness of the situation in a war zone when just another day becomes something else entirely. I have spoken with numerous soldiers - make no mistake should the insurgent have reached the weapons Mr. Burke and others would not be alive. I will not question the action of Mr. Burke for a second. The enemy was instructed to stay in a secure area, he disobed and moved to an area that was obviously off limits and one that endangered more than himself. The insurgent was wounded not killed. The fact that he was not allowed to get close enough to pose a risk of death is fine with me. I have been in country for approx. one year (i have lived and worked in the middle east for about 10 years )and traveled throughout Iraq in many convoys - i know first hand about ied's,rockets and the risks associated with being outside the wire. Mr. Burke did what he was trained to do as a soldier,he stopped a threat to himself and others; finally he showed extreme restraint.When a life and death decision was his alone to make, Mr.Burke Chose life - for his enemy. My support is behind Mr. Burke and his actions. My prayers are for him and his family.

Cecil L. Kendrick (8/10/2005)
This story is all too common, these prople want to kill us, not just our military, but all of us who would refuse to convert to islam. Sgt. Burke should be commended, promoted and given his leave. Get politics out of hte war.

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