Donations needed for woman’s children

By Matt Smith/msmith@trcle.com

August 14, 2008 06:31 pm

— Donations received for the children of an Alvarado store clerk killed during a July 23 robbery attempt partially paid for funeral costs, but more expenses remain, a family friend said.
An account has been set up to accept donations for Karen Burke’s children at Wachovia Bank. Donations can be deposited at any Wachovia location, a bank employee said.
Donations can also be mailed to the bank’s Mansfield location at 317 S. Main St., Mansfield, TX 76063. Checks should be made out to April Burke.
Funds collected will benefit the son and two daughters of Burke, 52, of Alvarado.
For information, call the bank at 817-477-5774.
Burke and her youngest daughter relied on one another for living expenses, said family friend Pam Carr. Burke’s oldest daughter has five children and often relied on Burke for help with babysitting, Carr said.
Burke worked as a clerk at the Shell Travel Center on 1203 S. Parkway Drive in Burleson. Burke was working alone July 23 when a man entered the store about 1:35 a.m., shot Burke in the head and left after unsuccessfully attempting to open the cash register. Burke died the following day at John Peter Smith Hospital.
Alvarado police arrested a 16-year-old boy July 25. His name has not been released because he is a minor. On Aug. 6, the Johnson County Attorney’s Office requested that the juvenile court waive jurisdiction so the boy can stand trial as an adult. A hearing to decide the matter is expected to occur in October.
The boy has been formally charged with capital murder in the case.