John Dee Burk, a 32-year-old male of Caucasian ethnicity, served as the Kaufman County Precinct 8 Constable. On May 1, 1905, Burk was conducting business in Kaufman, Texas, when he responded to a disturbance at J. J. Patterson's pool room. There, he arrested M. B. Scott, who was intoxicated. During the arrest, Burk had to strike Scott in the head with his pistol due to Scott's resistance. After allowing Scott to wash his hands, Scott returned with a pistol and shot Burk in the head.
Burk succumbed to his injuries approximately two hours later.
Following the incident, M. B. Scott was initially sentenced to 20 years in the state penitentiary for murder in the second degree on July 15, 1905. However, the Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas reversed and remanded the case on February 21, 1906. On January 9, 1907, Scott pleaded guilty to manslaughter and received a reduced sentence of 3 years and 9 months in the state penitentiary.
Burk was survived by his wife and family, though the exact number of his children remains unknown. He was buried in an unmarked grave at Bell Springs Cemetery in Hill County, Texas.
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