Keller won’t run for third term

Jeff German and Keith Paul

Monday, Oct. 22, 2001 | 10:53 a.m.

Sheriff Jerry Keller today, in a move that surprised the law enforcement community, said he would not run for a third term in 2002.

Keller, who has been sheriff the past seven years, broke the news to his top officers at a briefing this morning, then informed other top law enforcement officials and political leaders.

He said that the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 influenced his decision. He wants to focus on preparing Las Vegas for possible attacks without the distraction of a political race, he said.

"This is the most difficult professional decision I have ever made, much more so than my original decision to seek office," Keller said in a statement issued this morning. "This difficult decision is made with no regrets and with the knowledge that once again my family will be my first priority."

Keller told the Sun this morning he had been wrestling with the decision the past several months. He said he and his wife informed their family Sunday night.

"This gives me time to also focus on my family, to watch my grandchildren play, learn and grow," he said.

Keller, who has maintained high popularity ratings in the political polls throughout his tenure, said he intended to devote his 14 remaining months in office to ensuring that Las Vegas is prepared for the new age of terrorism.

"The horrific events of Sept. 11 have created new challenges for our community and our police department," he said. "These new threats require all of us to review and adjust our strategies for protecting the public and maintaining our quality of life.

"The only sadness I feel today," he said, "is that I will no longer have the opportunity to work with the greatest group of men and women that have ever dedicated their lives to protecting the public and improving our quality of life here in Southern Nevada."

Kent Oram, one of Keller's top political advisers, said the sheriff informed him of his decision Sunday night.

"Sept. 11 changed a lot for Jerry," Oram said. "He wants to spend the next 14 months getting Southern Nevada as prepared as it can to respond to a terrorist threat or its aftermath."

District Attorney Stewart Bell, who also isn't seeking re-election, said this morning that he was sorry to see Keller retire.

"Jerry's done a wonderful job the last seven years and will be very much missed," Bell said.

Dave Kallas, executive director of the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, which represents 1,300 Metro officers, said he was disappointed in the sheriff's decision.

"He's done a lot for the department and community," Kallas said. "The department's reputation as a professional organization has increased from the time he took over."

Kallas said he expected the PPA now would play a "significant role" in the 2002 sheriff's race.

Those within the department mentioned as possible candidates include Deputy Chief Bill Young and Capt. Gary Schofield.

Undersheriff Dick Winget is expected to retire with the sheriff at the end of 2002.

Outside the department, former FBI Agent George Togliatti, now a senior executive at Harrah's Entertainment Inc., has been mentioned as a possible candidate.