Richard E. Burkhart

Feb 14, 1919 - Apr 25, 1966

Richard Burkhart, 47, retired assistant police chief, was dead on arrival at 5:10 p.m. Monday in Memorial Hospital after suffering an apparent heart attack in his home at 602 S. Kentucky St. At the time of his death, Mr. Burkhart was a member of the traffic division of the Indiana State Highway Department. A Democrat, he resigned his police post in December, 1963, before the present Republican administration took office. He had been assistant police chief for eight years, under Mayors Edward F. Voorde and Frank J. Bruggner.

He was on the force for nearly 22 years. For a brief period following his resignation he was a deputy with the St. Joseph County SherIff's Department.

Withdraws From Race: Last month, after filing earlier for the Democratic sheriff nomination, he withdrew his name from the list of candidates. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Central Democratic & Civic Club, West Side Civic & Democratic Club, Indiana Assn. of Chiefs of Police and St. Michael's Society.

Born on Feb. 14, 1919, in South Bend, he married Gertrude Napieralski, who survives, on Oct. 5, , 1940. Also surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Pomeroy of Alden, Mich.; a son, Gerald, at home, and a brother, George, of South Bend.

The rosary will be recited in the St. Joseph Funeral Home at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday by members of St. Michael's Society and St. Hedwig's parish. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Hedwig's Church, Rev. John Jakubielski, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends may call after 7 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com

10/31/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/186331307/richard-e-burkhart