Sequim Gazette staff

Former Sequim Police Chief Ken Burge, 62, died in Alcoa, Tenn., on July 14.

He served in Sequim from October 2002 to September 2004 before going to Alcoa.

Various reports from Tennessee said Burge was on medical leave for an unspecified illness since November 2012.

Lt. Sheri Crain with Sequim Police said she was one of the sergeants working with Burge during his time here and she found him to be a consummate professional.

“He was calm and had a professional approach to everything,” she said.

“He was always looking for win-wins, even though he was only here a short time frame.”

Steve Vogel, fire chief for Clallam County Fire District 3, said Burge was always courteous, very professional and always communicated well.

Tom Riepe, retired Port Angeles police chief, said Burge was a real gentleman and he liked working with him.

“He was an intelligent law enforcement officer,” Riepe said. “I know I respected him and he seemed like a passionate man. He was a team player and I was sad to see him go when he did.”

Burge’s services were held on July 17 in Tennessee.

He is survived by his wife, Bettiann, to whom he was married for 45 years; two children; one grandson; and his brother and sister.

Burge was born in Fairview Heights, Ill., and started his police career there before becoming police chief in 1985 in Indianola, Iowa. He would later serve as chief in Glendale, Colo., Sequim and Alcoa, Tenn.

He attended the FBI Academy in 1995. He was a lifetime member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, serving on multiple boards and leading the Alcoa Police Department to national accreditation.

Family said Burge especially liked Jimmy Buffet’s music, traveling, movies, and studying science and astronomy.