# Sergeant Burke — The Jade God character guide

> Sergeant Burke in The Jade God by Alan Sullivan.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Burke

**First appearance:** 0005-vi-god-or-devil

## Snapshot

The blunt local policeman who regards the Millicent case as the one unsatisfactory spot on his record and admits, grudgingly, that he is beaten.

## Who they are

Burke receives Derrick at the station with the official's suspicion of the amateur, but interest overtakes him before the interview ends. He is dogged, silent, and honest about his failure, qualities that make him useful rather than obstructive as Derrick reconstructs the night of the murder. His willingness to reopen a closed wound gives the investigation its official foothold in the middle stretch of the book.

## Relationships

### [Perkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jade_god_se/characters/perkins)

_professional_

Perkins and Sergeant Burke have a professional relationship, likely involving investigation or police matters.

### [John Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jade_god_se/characters/john_martin)

_professional_

John Martin and Sergeant Burke have a professional relationship, likely involving law enforcement or investigation.

### [Perkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jade_god_se/characters/perkins)

_professional_

Perkins and Sergeant Burke have a professional relationship, likely involving investigation or police matters.

### [John Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jade_god_se/characters/john_martin)

_professional_

John Martin and Sergeant Burke have a professional relationship, likely involving law enforcement or investigation.

### [Perkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jade_god_se/characters/perkins)

_professional_

Perkins and Sergeant Burke have a professional relationship, likely involving investigation or police matters.

### [John Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jade_god_se/characters/john_martin)

_professional_

John Martin and Sergeant Burke have a professional relationship, likely involving law enforcement or investigation.

## In the story

### [V: The Paper-Knife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jade_god_se/chapters/v-the-paper-knife)

The local sergeant, still haunted by the unsolved Millicent murder, cautiously engages with Derrick's inquiries.

### [VI: God—Or Devil?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jade_god_se/chapters/vi-god-or-devil)

Examines the jade god, discusses the case with Derrick, and is puzzled by Derrick's inductive approach.

### [VII: A Mysterious Peddler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jade_god_se/chapters/vii-a-mysterious-peddler)

Burke listens to Derrick's report about the peddler and the planned robbery, becoming excited that the Millicent case may be revived.

### [VIII: The Power of the Unknown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jade_god_se/chapters/viii-the-power-of-the-unknown)

Burke arrives at Beech Lodge, discusses the case with Derrick, and searches the cottage.

### [IX: The Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jade_god_se/chapters/ix-the-escape)

Arrives in distress to report Blunt's escape and agrees to Derrick's plan for that night.

### [XI: A Strange Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jade_god_se/chapters/xi-a-strange-confession)

Present during the confession, listens but remains skeptical.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jade_god_se/characters/sergeant_burke
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jade_god_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jade_god_se/characters