GREENFIELD — Lt. Joseph Burge retired on Friday following 28 years of service to the Greenfield Police Department.
“It’s been a wonderful career,” Burge said. “God has blessed me with it, and I’m thankful he gave me the opportunity.”
His last shift on Friday was marked by a final radio call and a salute from colleagues outside the station at 321 High St.
From patrol officer to acting police chief, to his most recent role as lieutenant, Burge has served in almost every position at the department, according to Deputy Chief Mark Williams
“I can’t think of anybody who’s had as many positions as he’s had,” Williams said. “That says something about him, about the trust the city has in his abilities.”
Burge was a dependable leader and a great police officer, Williams said, noting the many times Burge was “thrust” into leadership roles during periods of transition in the department. He referenced 2012, when Burge assumed the role of acting police chief following the sudden retirements of two police chiefs, one who replaced the other, and a captain.
“Joe took the reins and was placed in a very, very challenging position with so many senior staff leaving all at once,” he said. “He did whatever job was asked of him and needed at the time.”
Prior to his service to the Greenfield Police Department, Burge served four years in the U.S. Navy. After he left the service, Burge came to Greenfield, where he met officers who sparked his interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement.
He returned to school to earn an associate’s degree from Greenfield Community College, followed by a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Western New England University.
Burge said he was in Arizona, his home state, when he first received an offer to work full-time for Greenfield. He became the department’s first school resource officer.
“That (role) helped me get to know a lot of people from the community,” he said. “Because I wasn’t born and raised here, that was a tremendous benefit.”
He said his favorite role at the department, however, was serving on the Special Response Team, a joint task force made up of officers from around the county.
“It was the most exhilarating,” he said. “We got to do the most training, and (it was) probably one of the more challenging.”
Burge said he doesn’t know yet what his next “adventure” will be, but he does plan to stay around Greenfield.
“Right now, I’m going to do some fishing” he said. “Just relax a little bit before I decide which way I’m going to take off. I’ve got a few ideas, but nothing solid yet.”
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 263.