After spending nearly a month on paid suspension, the Gold Beach chief of police has turned in his walking papers.

On Monday morning, Chief Russ Merkley resigned from his position as the head of the city’s law enforcement, said Gold Beach City Administrator Donn Flynn. He had placed Merkley on suspension on Dec. 17. 

“He was not fired. He did resign,” Flynn said.

Merkley served with the department for 41⁄2 years and earned $51,923 a year.

The administrator said Cpl. Paul Giovannetti will head the police department in the meantime but the city is looking for an interim chief.

A group of people picketed at a Gold Beach City Council meeting Monday. Lea Sevey, the wife of Kelly Sevey, a Gold Beach police officer, said some also spoke in support of the chief. Sevey said she believes that Flynn put Merkley on suspension following issues over whether her husband could work full-time light duty following a recent surgery. He returned to full duty on Jan. 7.

Flynn has refused to discuss why Merkley was placed on leave.

This morning, Flynn said he had Merkley’s letter of resignation but he was awaiting permission from the city’s attorney before providing a copy to The World. Repeated attempts to reach Merkley have been unsuccessful. His phone number is unlisted.