Kentucky soldier faces charge in Iraq

[ridgerunner]

SERGEANT ACCUSED AFTER CAPTURED INSURGENT WAS SHOT

By Steve Ivey
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER

After Sgt. Ricky Burke's Kentucky National Guard unit came under attack March 20 south of Baghdad, commanders hailed the soldiers' bravery.

The unit killed 27 Iraqi insurgents during a 45-minute firefight and confiscated a weapons stockpile.

But the Monticello soldier's mother says her son is facing prison time on a charge of premeditated attempted murder after he shot and wounded a captured insurgent that day.

Sandy Burke said her son told her he shot the prisoner who was reaching for a stockpile of weapons. But she said members from Richmond's 617th Military Police Company told superiors the prisoner was too far away from the weapons to be dangerous, and Burke was charged.

more: http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/12374039.htm

[ConcernedCanuk]

1. What you WON'T read about this incident in the MSM

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I found this googling the Sgt.'s name

Paragraph breaks are mine for easier reading

Audie Kay Barrier (8/11/2005)

I am a DOD contractor currently stationed in Baghdad,Iraq.I am aware of the attack on the convoy and have spoken with several soldiers regarding a viedo they were shown of the attack - apparently taken from a video camera discovered on a deceased insurgent - this is not unusual.

Certainly, it does not show all that happens but it can show the seriousness of the situation in a war zone when just another day becomes something else entirely. I have spoken with numerous soldiers - make no mistake should the insurgent have reached the weapons Mr. Burke and others would not be alive.

I will not question the action of Mr. Burke for a second. The enemy was instructed to stay in a secure area, he disobed and moved to an area that was obviously off limits and one that endangered more than himself. The insurgent was wounded not killed. The fact that he was not allowed to get close enough to pose a risk of death is fine with me.

I have been in country for approx. one year (i have lived and worked in the middle east for about 10 years )and traveled throughout Iraq in many convoys - i know first hand about ied's,rockets and the risks associated with being outside the wire.

Mr. Burke did what he was trained to do as a soldier,he stopped a threat to himself and others; finally he showed extreme restraint.When a life and death decision was his alone to make, Mr.Burke Chose life - for his enemy. My support is behind Mr. Burke and his actions. My prayers are for him and his family.

http://www.wcoutlook.com/story.asp?id=1847

So

WHY is the MIlitary going after this guy?

There must be a reason, even if it's an insane one . . .

could be as ridiculous as jealousy on the part of Richmond's 617th Military Police Company?

Did he just piss someone off?

From the Article above this comment:

"The 617th MP¹s (from Richmond, Ky.) were shadowing our convoy and came to assist."

Maybe he saw the MP's do something wrong and they "preempted" any possibility he might "tell" on them??

I would believe more wrong-doing from the MP's than a National Guardsmen -

More from the Article at the link above -

Burke was manager of the Dollar Mart last fall, when the local unit was activated. He has three sons. Ryan is 7 years old and twins Jared and Joshua are 2 1/2.

Some smells badly here . . .





That be Ricky holding the young Iraqi boy on his shoulder

for full size pic go to http://www.wcoutlook.com/story.asp?id=1866 and click on the small image