He was affectionately known as “Radar Ray,” serving as the Chief of Police in North Newton for 30 years. Ray Classen retired from that in 2013. His watch, however, came to a full end January 15 at Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita when he passed away.
“He was familiar with a majority of people in the community, and vice-versa,” said Ron Ratzlaff, city council member for North Newton. “He was appreciated and well liked by the community.”
Well-liked enough to have a college band named after him. At one time, a group of Bethel college students created a band called Radar Ray and the Sand Creek Busters.
When Classen came to North Newton in 1983, he was the only officer on the North Newton police force and was the first police chief for the city. He grew the department to include two more officers before he retired.
“He was iconic to North Newton and for 30 years he personified the police department,” said John Torline, city administrator for North Newton. ”… One thing I always appreciated is he was frugal and always managed city money wisely. He was mild-mannered. He did not go out to make a criminal out of anybody. He was a small town cop everybody knew and everybody talked to.”
(Read more: Newton Kansan)