Police chief, 25-year veteran of force, retires

Tommy Burns started his career in law enforcement in 1974 when he joined a Henderson Police Department with 20 officers and eight patrol cars.

Twenty-five years later Burns has announced he will retire as chief of a department that patrols the fastest-growing city in the country and has more than 190 officers.

Burns, who will retire on Oct. 1, spent 10 years as a patrol officer before being promoted to sergeant, lieutenant, captain and then chief in 1994.

"I have known Tommy Burns for most of his law enforcement career and I truly admire his dedication to community policing and solving crime problems in this valley," Metro Police Sheriff Jerry Keller said.

"Tommy Burns is an outstanding professional law enforcement executive," said Bobby Siller, former FBI special agent in charge of the Las Vegas bureau. "He is an honest man with tremendous integrity. I consulted with him frequently and consider him a good friend."

Because Burns is so young -- he's in his late 40s -- speculation is floating around that he may have been forced out.

"Every time a high-profile person retires young we get that question from the news media," said Henderson city spokeswoman Vicki Taylor.

"However, at 25 years with PERS (Public Employees Retirement System) you get almost a full paycheck. I'm at 17 years and counting."

Taylor said the city has been given no indication that Burns is leaving for any reason other than to take advantage of the good retirement benefits.

Attempts to reach Henderson City Manager Phil Speight and Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson late Wednesday and early today were not successful.

Burns, the fifth chief of police in the history of Henderson, says the search for his replacement is beginning.

"We are starting the national accreditation process, a five-year strategic plan nearly completed and the latest citizen's poll showing that an overwhelming number of Henderson residents feel the police department is doing a good job," Burns said.

"I feel very confident that the management team we have assembled and the organizational controls that are in place, has the department prepared for the next step into the 21st century."

On Wednesday afternoon, Burns sent his staff and city officials this e-mail:

"As of today, I am announcing that I am retiring from the Henderson Police Department effective October 1, 1999. Some of you ... I have talked with recently knew ... I was contemplating a new career direction and after 25 years in police work that time has come.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for working with me to make our police department one of the most respected and finest police agencies in the nation. I know that all of you will also work to make this transition a smooth and successful one.

"It has been a pleasure and an honor to work with you. I will be in and out of the office until October 1 and will make every effort to say goodbye to all of you. If I don't get the chance to see everyone, I will still be in the neighborhood. ..."

When Burns was named chief in 1994 he said he was excited and looking forward to the challenges that awaited him. He met those challenges head-on according to Henderson Police Captain Mike Mayberry.

During Burn's tenure the department upgraded it's computer and 911 systems and implemented the reverse 911 system, Mayberry said. A citizen's academy, chaplains' program and neighborhood policing program were all established during Burn's term as chief.

The Green Valley Ranch substation was another addition to the department while Burns was in charge.

Burns -- who lives in Henderson with his wife, Theresa, and two children -- became the captain over the support section which oversees records, the evidence vault, the animal shelter and work cards in May of 1993.

Sun reporter

Ed Koch contributed to this report.

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