Assistant chief ends 36-year Henderson PD career

Kevin Ferguson

Thursday, July 24, 1997 | 9:13 a.m.

HENDERSON -- Walt Zawrotny is putting for the final hole on a 36-year career with the Henderson Police Department. The assistant police chief's final day will be Aug. 7.

The avid golfer has worked his way through the ranks, starting as a Henderson patrolman, and will be leaving as the second-in-command of the department.

"It'll be like leaving a big family," Zawrotny said. "I watched (the police) department grow. But it's time to go."

Zawrotny was hired by Henderson Mayor Bill Burns as a patrolman in 1961. The police department consisted of 11 members then, and the mayor hired all city employees. Now, there are 174 commissioned police officers.

The young Zawrotny started out working a six-day week for $406 a month, no overtime.

"Someone of Walt's experience, knowledge and skills is irreplaceable," said Henderson Police Chief Tommy Burns. "I've worked with him for 23 years, and he knows the ins and outs of Henderson better than anyone. He's been an incredible asset to the city."

After serving in the U.S. Air Force Air Police from 1955 to 1959, the Pittsburgh native joined the CIA. In 1961, Zawrotny was transferred to Southern Nevada.

"I was looking for stability," he said, "so, after living here awhile, I filled out an application for the Henderson Police Department."

Without any academy training, he still got the job.

On one of his first accident investigations, he had to call the police station for help.

"I radioed in to the captain and said I don't know how to do this," he recalled. "So the captain left a prisoner to man the phones while he came out to help me. I think the convict was just the town drunk ... like from Mayberry (referring to "The Andy Griffith Show.")

That same year, Zawrotny met Virginia Stewart, a nurse, who became his bride. The two are celebrating their 36th anniversary this year.

"The city and police department have been very good to me," Zawrotny said. "It's been a good career, better than I could have imagined."

Vicki Taylor, assistant to the city manager, said Zawrotny has always been very easy to work with.

"He's very candid, responsible and tells it like it is," Taylor said.

Sheriff Jerry Keller said he's known Zawrotny for 30 years.

"He's been a positive influence on policing," Keller said. "I consider him a good friend and a good cop."

"I'm still going to be around," Zawrotny said. "I plan to play a lot of golf and do some work around the yard."