Hanging Up the Badge: Gig Harbor Lieutenant Honored for 31 Years of Service

The Gig Harbor city council members and police officials honored Lt. Bill Colberg at the Monday meeting for his 31 years of service to the Gig Harbor community.

Colberg, who has been with the Gig Harbor Police Department since 1981, will be hanging up his badge at the end of the month.

Colberg started his law enforcement career on Aug. 31, 1970 with the Glendale Police Department in California. Prior to joining the agency, he spent four years in the U.S. Air Force as a military police officer where he served one and a half years in Vietnam.

After 11 years with the Glendale Police Department and having reached the rank of sergeant, Colberg decided to move north to Gig Harbor to raise his family. He joined the Gig Harbor Police Department on Dec. 7, 1981.

Colberg has been with the Gig Harbor Police Department for 31 years and spent the last 25 years serving as the second-in-command.

“Bill is the longest tenured employee of the city and his record of 31 years will probably stand for many years to come,” said Police Chief Mike Davis.

During his time with the Gig Harbor Police Department, Colberg served as acting police chief three times—most recently after former police chief and current Gig Harbor city administrator Denny Richards retired in 1995 and former Chief Mitch Barker’s resigned in 2003.

In fact, Colberg has outlasted four mayors and five police chiefs during his 31 year with the GHPD.

“Lt. Colberg takes extreme pride in his job and the reputation of our department,” Davis added. “I think one of Bill’s most admirable qualities is his interpersonal skills. He may not always have a big smile on his face, but we all know he is smiling inside. Bill understands and recognizes the needs of others, inside and outside our department."