After decades of service, Public Safety Director Tom Casady says he’s retiring

Public Safety Director Tom Casady, who has served in law enforcement for over four decades, said he will retire.

“Dear Mayor: I’m retiring,” Casady wrote in a tweet Tuesday morning. “We’ve done some good things. It’s been fun.”

Casady said his last day will be March 13.

“I think a lot of people go to work and don’t have that sense of fulfillment that police officers and teachers and paramedics get and I’ve been really fortunate to have a career where I have that sense of making a difference in the world,” Casady said.

Holding degrees in Criminal Justice and Political Science from UNO and UNL respectively, Casady began his law enforcement career in 1974 with the Lincoln Police Department. 

In 1987, he began serving as Chief Deputy of the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, before becoming sheriff in 1991. 

He was appointed by Mayor Mike Johanns as LPD’s Chief of Police in 1994. 

Casady took an active role in helping to reduce binge drinking, as well as cracking down on drunk driving offenses.

In 2011, Casady was appointed Public Safety Director by Mayor Chris Beutler – a position that oversees three city agencies and over 760 employees.

Casady says the big cases he was involved with stood out to him but it’s the little things that made the difference.

“The times when I’ve been able to just do something that has made life better for someone, those are the things that really kept me going and help me cope with the stressful things that occur with this occupation,” Casady said.

He says Mayor Chris Beutler not serving another term had an influence on his decision to retire.

Casady will now be looking forward to introducing himself back to golf clubs and bicycles, as well as spending time with his 2 children and 6 grandchildren.

(Photo courtesy City of Lincoln)