Longtime CBS 6 crime reporter Jon Burkett announces he will step away
One of Richmond's most famous journalists, CBS 6 "Crime Insider" Jon Burkett, announced Thursday morning he will leave the job in September, on the 26th anniversary of his start with WTVR.
Burkett, whose reporting from the scenes of major crimes has been a staple in Richmond for years, said the pressures of the job have contributed to health issues, including gout, and for the health of his family he believes it is time to leave his role, though he will continue to live in Central Virginia.
He made the announcement on the station's "Untold" podcast. The full podcast can be seen here.
Burkett relayed an emotional conversation he had with his doctor.
"He goes, 'I'm going to cut to the chase here, Jon. ... I know you have a lot of people that care about you,'" Burkett recalled. "And he goes, 'How old was your dad when he died?' That's 56. And he looked at me and he said, 'Are you trying to beat him?'"
Burkett, a Chesterfield native, served in the Navy before starting at the station.
He said his next job is lined up, and it will "make sense" to people who have followed his career.
Contact Michael Phillips at mphillips@richmonder.org.
