By Police1 Staff
CHICAGO — Former Chicago Police Cmdr. Jon Burge was sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison on obstruction of justice and perjury charges Friday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow said that she considered the 63-year-old Burge’s failing health in the sentencing but emphasized that “these offenses were committed to conceal other offenses.”
“Unfortunately for you, the jury did not believe you and I must agree,” she said, according to the Sun-times. “I did not either.”
Burge apologized for tarnishing the Chicago Police Department’s name, but asked that the judge show him mercy.
“I will be the first to admit I’m not a perfect person,” he said. “I’m not the person portrayed in the media by the plaintiffs’ attorneys.”
Burge denied accusations that he is a racist and said that some of his closest friends in the department were African Americans.
He called his battle with prostate cancer: “One of the longest and loneliest things I’ve ever faced in my life.”
Burge’s brother testified as well, saying that any sentence given to Burge might as well be a death sentence, because of his failing health.
About 30 letters were written asking for leniency on Burge’s behalf.