Bruett, former WSP chief, dead at 60

SEATTLE — Roger W. Bruett, who rose through the ranks to become chief of the Washington State Patrol and later was senior manager of international security for Microsoft Corp., is dead at 60.

Bruett, who spent 27 years with the patrol but had a rocky two years as chief, died Saturday following a stroke, friends and relatives said.

“He was a real easy person to supervise because everybody liked him, even the people he gave tickets to and the drunks he threw in jail,” said Robert Landon, Bruett’s mentor and also a former patrol chief.

A native of Everett, Bruett enrolled at Central Washington University, enlisted in the Air Force Reserves and was called to active duty in Vietnam, returning as a decorated sergeant.

He joined the State Patrol in 1967, finished his degree in education in 1971, specializing in driver’s education, and later earned a master’s degree in traffic engineering.

Bruett was awarded a commendation for diving into the Snohomish River three times in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue someone who had driven into river in 1972.

Bruett’s two years as patrol chief, starting in 1993, were marked by conflict with rank-and-file troopers and state legislators, who faulted him on budget issues and his defense of then-Gov. Mike Lowry against a charge of sexual harassment.

Survivors include Bruett’s wife, Lynette Bruett of Woodinville, son Ryan Bruett of New York City, and daughter Anna Bruett of Seattle.