Police Department

Town of South Fork Police Department

Chief Sean Burkey

seanburkey@southfork.org

100 Silver Thread Lane

PO Box 369

South Fork, Colorado 81154

Phone (719) 873-1040, Fax (719) 873-1042

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0100 Silver Thread Lane South Fork, CO 81154

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the South Fork Police Department is to work as an equal partner with the community to reduce crime, the fear of crime and enhance public safety by interacting with all citizens and visitors in the Town of South Fork.

CORE VALUES

To fulfill our vision and achieve our mission, we, the members of the South Fork Police Department are committed to these core values

Honesty and Integrity
We value and expect truth, honesty, and ethical behavior from the officers in our department. Honesty and integrity are central to all the values we embrace daily. Honesty and integrity are the foundations of community trust.

Service
We will seek solutions to community issues through a partnership with the people we serve. We value our badge as a symbol of public faith and will strive to enhance the quality of life of our citizens by providing service that is responsive to the needs of our community.

Fairness

Fairness is an inherent right and is basic to human goodness. The South Fork Police Department will treat all we come in contact with equality. We treat our employees and citizens alike, with respect, dignity, and fairness

Leadership
We are leaders in our community and in our profession and will lead by example. Exceptional leadership inspires all!

Chief of Police

Sean Burkey

Sean Burkey was born and raised in Odessa Texas and attended Odessa High School. After graduating in 1986, he joined the United States Air Force as a Law Enforcement Specialist. During his 24-year career in the Air Force, he was assigned to at RAF Alconbury UK, Kelly AFB in San Antonio Tx, Prince Sultan AB, Saudi Arabia, Kirtland AFB New Mexico, Lackland AFB San Antonio TX, Eglin AFB FL and Osan AB South Korea. While in San Antonio, Sean attended the San Antonio Community Collage’s Law Enforcement Academy where he graduated and was awarded his Texas Peace Officers license from TCLOSE. He accomplished 10 years of civilian law enforcement with Precinct #3 Constable’s office and the City of Grey Forest Police Department.

While on active duty, some of the special assignments he accomplished included; Nuclear Security Team member, Undercover Narcotics, Fly Away Security Team lead, USAF Armed Forces Police Department, SWAT Team Lead, Traffic Accident & Reconstruction Specialist, US Military Customs Inspector, Fast Attack Boat Machine Gunner, Combat Weapons Instructor, Law Enforcement Apprentice Instructor. Once retired from the Air Force, he took a job as a Branch Operations Manager for a large security company in San Antonio TX and managed 375 Level III security officers for 45 site security locations, two of which had DoD and DoE oversight. After 3 years with the security company, he was offered a position with the Department of the Air Force as a Combat Weapons Instructor, which he did until October 2021.

In October 2021, Sean was contacted by the Town of South Forks Police Chief and offered a position as the Deputy Chief of Police. He accepted, and on November 15 of this year he started the position with the Town of South Fork. Not being a native of Colorado, he attended the Law Enforcement Academy at Pueblo Community Collage in Mancos CO where he graduated in May of 2022. He became Colorado POST certified and was sworn in as the Chief of Police in June, where he currently leads his department. Sean holds 2 associates degrees, Criminal Justice and Adult Education and is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Management.

Sean Is Married to Amanda and has a daughter and a son from a previous marriage

Peace Officer

OJ Pierce

OJ Pierce was born in Salida CO and was raised in the small towns surrounding Lamar CO in the Lower Arkansas Valley. He graduated from McClave High School in spring of 2000. OJ’s education has never stopped and he has obtained several certificates and degrees including his Associate of Science Degree at Lamar Community College in 2005, Colorado P.O.S.T. Certification from Otero Jr. College in 2011, an Associate of Criminal Justice from Lamar Community College in 2013, and a Bachelors of Arts degree in Law Enforcement Administration from Ashford University in 2015.

He has been part of emergency services since May of 2000 through volunteer fire and ambulance services, paid ambulance services and law enforcement. He joined the Lamar Police Department as a code enforcement officer in 2008 and was agency sponsored to the law enforcement academy at Otero Jr. College. He has been a P.O.S.T certified sworn officer for eleven years having served with the Rio Grande Sheriff’s Office, Lamar Police Department and Colorado State Patrol Port of Entry and now the South Fork Police Department. He served as a patrol Sergeant for four years at Lamar Police Department and two and a half years with Rio Grande County. His duties have included enforcing municipal ordinances, county ordinances, State and Federal Law. As a patrol sergeant, he has supervised numerous patrol officers with both the Lamar PD and with Rio Grande County Sheriff’s office. He has led and assisted multiple investigations and experienced a wide range of law enforcement situations. He holds several certifications including being a Certified Firearms Instructor through the NRA & Colorado POST in handgun, and NRA certified shotgun, and patrol rifle instructor. He has also served as a K-9 handler with the Lamar PD and a Level 3 Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspector with the Port of Entry.

OJ has been married to his wife Louise since July of 2002 and together they have a son who is a junior at the Del Norte High School and is a member of the National Honor Society.