Wagoner County Sheriff's deputy placed on paid suspension

WAGONER, Okla. (AP) -- A Wagoner County deputy has been placed on paid suspension as authorities investigate him and an arson fire that destroyed his home earlier this year.<br/><br/>Sheriff Johnny Cannon

Friday, December 2nd 2005, 6:08 am

By: News On 6

WAGONER, Okla. (AP) -- A Wagoner County deputy has been placed on paid suspension as authorities investigate him and an arson fire that destroyed his home earlier this year.

Sheriff Johnny Cannon says Deputy Kelly Burke was suspended last month after returning from a 30-day leave of absence to work on his new home.

Cannon says some things led authorities to believe Burke might possibly have set the blaze.

He says Burke didn't act surprised when he told the 48-year-old that an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agent wanted to talk with him.

Burke couldn't be reached for comment, and there was no phone listing for him.

Cannon says the OSBI was first called in January because Burkes police cruiser was parked at the residence. A few days before the fire, Burke had reported a burglary at his home, saying 10 guns were taken.