Reserve Commander Crawford recognized for commitment to volunteerism

Carson City Sheriff’s Office Reserve Commander Tom Crawford was recognized for his commitment to volunteerism at the annual Nevada Sheriffs’ and Chiefs’ Association conference. The Statewide Volunteer Award echoes a sense of pride within the sheriff’s office, as only one other from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department was selected for this prestigious award. The 2019 conference introduced a new statewide tradition, distinguishing all aspects of law enforcement, by formally recognizing both sworn officers and citizens for their contributions.

Crawford’s commitment to community has been continuous for more than 16 years. He joined the Uniformed Reserve program in 2003 and was appointed commander in 2005. Crawford’s unwavering commitment to public safety is commonly known throughout the community, and for many current deputies, he has played a key role in fostering their career development both before and after POST academy. Crawford was recognized by Gov. Brian Sandoval in 2016 and was presented the “Points of Light for Volunteerism” award.

Crawford’s former occupation was not in law enforcement. He was an economist for the Nevada Bureau of Land Management.

“I saw an advertisement in the newspaper and always had interest in law enforcement, so I joined the Reserves,” he said. “It’s a different way to contribute to the community in a volunteer capacity.”

“He has been a phenomenal addition to our administration,” Sheriff Ken Furlong said. “We have tried to offer him compensation for his services many times, but he always says no. For a guy who won’t take a dime from us, he’s a poster child for volunteer management.”

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office Uniformed Reserve program continuously is recruiting. Standards are the same for paid deputies. The program offers ample opportunities to contribute to the safety and wellbeing of others. The Reserve program is for individuals of any age who can meet the physical agility standards and become POST certified. For the majority, the Uniformed Reserve program is the initial step to becoming a full-time deputy within the Carson City Sheriff’s Office. Reserves are generally assigned to special events, emergency callouts, detention and patrol. Moreover, they support partnerships by providing additional assistance to nearby counties or state agencies.