The Journey Continues: Judge John P. Burke Jr.
My journey this week takes me to Judge John P. Burke Jr.
Born and raised in San Antonio, Burke graduated high school on the high plains from Monterey High School in Lubbock. He earned both his Bachelor of Arts (History) and Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas at Austin. From 1967-1970 he served with the U.S. Army — with 1 year in Thailand. He retired from the United States Army Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Before coming to San Marcos, he had a law practice in Dripping Springs and served in a myriad of responsible civic and professional positions.
In San Marcos, he has served as the presiding judge, 2006-2018, at the San Marcos Municipal Court of Record; and now as a part-time municipal court judge since 2018. Judge Burke has conducted bond hearings, set bail amounts and bail conditions, presided over hearings and trials and issued emergency protective orders. Over his long career, he has held many certifications including: Member, State Bar of Texas, U.S. Supreme Court, Circuit Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit, District Court of the Virgin Islands and U.S. Court of Military Appeals.
When I visited with Judge Burke he said, “that from nearly 40 years of dispensing justice, I can categorically state that the overwhelming majority of offenders are incarcerated because of the misuse and abuse of drugs and/or alcohol — they ruin lives.”
His core qualifications that guide him as a judge are based on ethical, unbiased standards to hear conflicting claims and then render an opinion based on his understanding of the law, which requires deliberation and decision-making skills.
Judge Burke has worked over 35 years alongside Rosemary Burke and Charlie Campise as volunteer with the Burke Foundation serving as a board member. The Burke Foundation is a Texas Chartered Residential Treatment facility for abused and neglected boys, ages 6-16. Usually there are 21 boys as residents at any time, with offices in south Texas cities to provide placement of foster care for children in custody of the state, also supporting adoption services.
Burke has personally fostered 20 children throughout the past years.
“I have a guiding principle, the “Golden Rule,” Burke said.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you for this sums up the Law and the Prophets,” Matthew 7:12 (NIV)
A believer, he attends St. John Catholic Church.
A widower, he was married to Sherry Riddle for 39 years, his family includes one son, two adopted sons and one granddaughter, and soulmate, Virginia.
