In the turbulent days of Prohibition, a dedicated federal agent named Curtis C. Burks, a 36-year-old White / Caucasian male, met a violent end in Kansas City, Missouri. His death came during a raid on the Lusco-Note Flower Shop on July 22, 1931, a seemingly legitimate business masking illegal liquor operations. Agent Burks, along with other federal agents and local police, descended on the shop to execute a search warrant, unaware that their actions would lead them into a fatal confrontation
with one of the era's most notorious outlaws.
During the search, the lawmen discovered the infamous bank robber and gunman, Charles 'Pretty Boy' Floyd, in a back room. As Agent Burks began to search Floyd, he disarmed him of a. 45 caliber pistol. However, the dangerous criminal had another handgun concealed and, in a sudden move, drew the weapon and fired twice at Agent Burks. The agent was gravely wounded. Despite receiving immediate medical care, Curtis Burks succumbed to his injuries two days later.
The violence did not end with the shooting of Agent Burks. As 'Pretty Boy' Floyd made his escape from the flower shop, he continued to fire, wounding another federal agent, a Kansas City police officer, and a civilian bystander. The brazen escape triggered a massive manhunt for the killer. Another suspect, John Calio, was discovered hiding inside a box during the raid and was shot and killed by a detective when he resisted arrest.
The search for 'Pretty Boy' Floyd for the murder of Agent Burks and his other crimes spanned several years. The relentless pursuit by law enforcement finally came to an end in October 1934. Floyd was located in East Liverpool, Ohio, where he was killed in a shootout with local officers and FBI agents. While there were some conflicting reports about the specifics of the 1931 raid, official records from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed that 'Pretty Boy' Floyd was the man responsible for the death of Special Agent Curtis C. Burks. Burks was survived by his wife, Gladys, and their son, Curtis Jr.
