PHOTOS: Richmond officer shot, killed in line of duty honored on 100th anniversary of his death

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A Richmond police officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty in 1925 was honored Monday with a centennial memorial service.

On July 28, 1925, 38-year-old Sgt. J. Harvey Burke of the Richmond Police Department died after he was shot while escorting a man and a woman involved in a domestic lawsuit to their home.

According to police, Burke was asked by a judge to accompany the couple so they could pick up some personal belongings. When they arrived, the man pulled out a gun and shot the woman. Burke was then shot while trying to disarm him.

The man was later found guilty and he was sentenced to death.

The morning of Monday, July 28, the Richmond community came together at Riverview Cemetery to honor Burke's memory on the 100th anniversary of his death.

Centennial memorial service for J. Harvey Burke. (Photos: Richmond Police Department)

Centennial memorial service for J. Harvey Burke. (Photos: Richmond Police Department)

Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards speaks at the Centennial memorial service for J. Harvey Burke. (Photos: Richmond Police Department)

Centennial memorial service for J. Harvey Burke. (Photos: Richmond Police Department)

Descendant Penn Burke speaks at the Centennial memorial service for J. Harvey Burke. (Photos: Richmond Police Department)

Centennial memorial service for J. Harvey Burke. (Photos: Richmond Police Department)

Chaplain Steve Kendall speaks at the Centennial memorial service for J. Harvey Burke. (Photos: Richmond Police Department)

Burke was described by chaplain Steve Kendell as a man of great "courage, integrity and unwavering dedication to his duty as a peacemaker."

Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards spoke at the service. He said that, every day, officers across the country put themselves in harm's way trying to de-escalate situations for the safety of the public -- and every day, they "go out there not knowing if [they're] going home."

"Today, we honor a man who did just that: who showed up to work to defend another innocent person and tragically lost his life," Edwards said.

Burke's grandson, Penn Burke, produced the service. He spoke about the importance of his grandfather's legacy and his family's efforts to safeguard it.

"My grandfather has a total of 55 descendants [who] all know this story," he said. "For a full century, we've shown honor and remembrance for this man that we never knew in person -- but we will never forget the ultimate sacrifice that he and other slain police officers have made to protect and serve us and this community."

If you'd like to pay your respects to Burke, you can find his final resting place near the entrance of Riverview Cemetery.