Thomas P. Gordon
| Thomas Gordon | |
|---|---|
| County Executive of New Castle County | |
| Incumbent | |
| 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 | September 10, 1952 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 Bachelors and Masters degrees from Wilmington University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy as well as the United States Secret Service Protection Program.[1]
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.[2]
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 [3] 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.[4]
New Castle County Executive
Gordon was elected in 1996 and sworn in on January 7, 1997, as New Castle County Executive, where he served two terms. During his tenure, New Castle County staged a drastic turnaround in its finances. At the time Gordon took office, the County was facing a $100 million projected cumulative shortfall within four years. Gordon launched the first comprehensive County Reinvention Initiative in 1997. In 2000, Gordon had eliminated the projected shortfall and had created a $100 million surplus. After being reelected for a second term (eight total years), Gordon achieved unprecedented financial success for New Castle County residents, leaving office with $185 million in reserves. The county was awarded the highest Bond Rating (AAA) by all three Wall Street Bond Rating agencies. Gordon is also credited as being the only two-term County Executive who did not raise property taxes and sewer user rates for eight years while producing the largest financial reserves in the history of New Castle County government.
Notes
- ↑ Turner Publishing Company (10 July 2000). FBI National Academy. Turner Publishing Company. pp. 153–. ISBN 978-1-56311-487-8. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
- ↑ 3 Slayings Reviewed For Pennell Link – Philly.com. Articles.philly.com (1989-11-30). Retrieved on 2012-08-24.
- ↑ Tom Gordon Senate Crime Bill. tomgordon2012.com (June 2012)
- ↑ FBI — Uniform Crime Reports. Fbi.gov (2010-03-17). Retrieved on 2012-08-24.