CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Former longtime West Virginia law enforcement officer and state Senator Colonel Jack Buckalew has died.
Buckalew, 83, died at his home in Boca Raton, Fla., Thursday morning, Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper said. The cause of death was not immediately available.
Buckalew spent his life in law enforcement and public service, serving stints as Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police, Charleston City Police Chief and Superintendent of the State Police Academy.
He also served one term as a Republican state senator representing Kanawha County. He was also secretary of the Department of Administration during former Gov. Cecil Underwood’s second term.
“He was one of the greatest men I ever met, one of the leading members of law enforcement,” said Carper.
There is no word yet on funeral arrangements.