WHEREAS, Chief Thomas Lawson has served the great State of Nevada with distinction and professional excellence for over thirty-three years. He is the embodiment of a public servant and leader. He is an intelligent, effective, and visionary organizational leader. He served as a role model committed to making a difference and effecting change; and

WHEREAS, Thomas' commitment to public service started in October of 1988, with the Douglas County Sheriff's Department's Law Enforcement Explorer Post 2105; and

WHEREAS, Thomas continued his commitment to public service in September of 1993, at which time he was sworn as a Reserve Deputy for the Douglas County Sheriff's Department; and

WHEREAS, on February 12, 1996, Thomas joined the Nevada Department of Public Safety as a Nevada Highway Patrol Cadet, and upon graduation from Academy Class XXXVII, he was promoted to Trooper and assigned to Mesquite Nevada; and

WHEREAS, Thomas was promoted through the ranks with the Highway Patrol. He is considered a highly knowledgeable and respected leader with experience in Traffic Operations, Crash Reconstruction, Personnel and Risk Management, Fleet Services, Commercial Enforcement, Special Operations, and Grant Writing; and

WHEREAS, in August of 2017, Thomas was promoted to the rank of Captain and transferred to the Nevada Division of Parole and Probation; and

WHEREAS, in 2020, Thomas was appointed as the 18th Chief of the Parole and Probation Division, where he led over six hundred personnel statewide and was instrumental in the creation of several key programs that challenged antiquated historic processes and practices. He led the Division of Parole and Probation with steadfast determination and perseverance through a time of unprecedented global strife and difficulty, and in so doing, he initiated changes necessary to ensure the future of the Division; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety and the State of Nevada joins with Thomas' family, friends, and co-workers in sharing our heartfelt and sincere appreciation for his 33+ years of faithful service to the citizens and visitors of our Silver State. Best wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, STEVE SISOLAK, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim April 3, 2022, as a day in honor of

CHIEF THOMAS LAWSON