Elmer "Trigger" Burke

rdf:langString Elmer "Trigger" Burke

rdf:langString Elmer "Trigger" Burke (1917 – January 9, 1958) was a notorious hitman during the mid-to-late 1940s. He was brought up by his older brother, Charlie. In 1941, he was sent to reform school, but later had his sentence cut for joining the army, where he served in the Italian campaign as an Army Ranger. Later, he served a sentence of two years in Sing Sing Prison for robbery. During his time in jail, his idol and brother, Charlie, was murdered by a man named George Goll. Goll was arrested and later released. To get revenge, Burke shot Goll in Manhattan at the age of 27. Elmer earned his nickname "Trigger" because he would shoot people behind the ear. So the police caught up with him because of his pattern hits. Elmer used to say "He didn't hold up the police station only because they get paid by checks." He would shake down businesses in Manhattan and have them pay him for protection. Later, he murdered Edward "Poochy" Walsh who was sitting in a bar with his friend "Squeeky" on 12 July 1952. He shot "Poochy" because he attempted to stop Burke from shaking down the bartender for protection money. Walsh was already being paid by the same bartender for protection. Walsh broke up a fight Burke had with the bartender earlier in the day. Burke left the bar, but came back with his .45 and shot Walsh in the face. Burke was also dating "Poochy" 's sister at the time. Burke was approx 5' 7" weight approx 140lbs and never fought with his fists, he always used his .45.