Buckley names street Pichos Avenue to honor longtime police chief George Pichos

Buckley — The City Council honored George Pichos on Monday night by designating a street as Pichos Avenue and presenting a certificate recognizing his years of public service.

The recognition commemorates Pichos’s work as Buckley’s police chief from 1966 to 1981, earlier service with the King County Sheriff’s Department and other law-enforcement and corrections roles, and his status as a Korean War veteran. Mayor and council members introduced family members who accepted the street sign and a framed certificate on behalf of Pichos.

Council members and family speakers recounted Pichos’s record in law enforcement, his work at Pierce-area institutions including Western State Hospital and Monroe State Penitentiary, and community anecdotes about his interactions with young people. A family member said the honor “means a lot to us” and noted Pichos’s longtime ties to Buckley.

The presentation included a brief reading of Pichos’s service dates and decorations, and a request that the sign and certificate circulate among relatives. No formal council vote to create the street name was recorded in the public remarks excerpt; the recognition appeared as part of the ceremonial portion of the meeting and proceeded with family remarks and photographs.

The council moved on to regular business after the presentation; the city said the family would coordinate photographs and that the city would provide a copy of the recognition certificate for the police department’s historical wall.