Thomas P. Gordon

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Thomas Gordon
County Executive of New Castle County
Assumed office
November 13, 2012
Preceded by Paul Clark
In office
January 8, 1997 – January 4, 2005
Preceded by Dennis Greenhouse
Succeeded by Chris Coons
Personal details
Born (1952-09-10) September 10, 1952 (age 71)
Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Susan Gordon
Children Michael
Jennifer
Daniel
Alma mater Wilmington University
Religion Roman Catholicism

Thomas P. Gordon is an American politician, law enforcement expert and current County Executive of New Castle County, Delaware. Prior to serving two terms as New Castle County Executive, Gordon was the Chief of Police for New Castle County.

Gordon was sworn in on November 13, 2012, making him the first ever three-term County Executive in New Castle County history.

Background

Born and raised in Wilmington, DE, Gordon attended Salesianum School, a private Catholic men's high school operated by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. He received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Wilmington University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy as well as the United States Secret Service Protection Program.[1]

Federal Corruption Indictment/ Witch Hunt

Gordon was the subject of a 2003 Federal Corruption indictment, which was "all dropped and a 20 million dollar witch hunt [2] In 2007, he pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of not keeping adequate tax records for two employees. [3]

Fraternal Order of Police & Delaware's Police Officer Bill of Rights

Gordon served as the President of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) in Delaware from 1984-1986.[4] Gordon is credited with the passage of the Law Enforcement Officer Bill of Rights,[5] which was signed into law on May 13, 1985.

New Castle County Chief of Police

Gordon began his career in the public sector upon joining the New Castle County Police Department in 1975. As a police officer he was assigned to the Patrol Division Criminal Unit, as well as the Attorney General's White Collar Crime Unit. Gordon was promoted to Sergeant in 1980, Lieutenant in 1984, and Captain in 1988. Gordon was Co-commander of Delaware's first serial killer task force which led to the apprehension and prosecution of Steven Brian Pennell, the state's first and only known serial killer.[6]

The U.S. Crime Bill

Gordon worked closely with then Senator Joseph Biden in the creation and writing of the landmark U.S. Crime Bill [7] which was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1994. The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act was the largest of its kind in US history and widely regarded as the most successful. Since implementation, violent and property crime in the United States has declined 43% and 37% respectively.[8]

Notes

External links