HUTCHINSON, Kan. — For the first time in nearly 20-years, Reno County has a new District Attorney. Tom Stanton took over the reins of the DA’s office after Keith Schroeder stepped down to pursue a judge’s position in the 27th Judicial District.
“I hope to do the same types of things we’ve been doing all along,” Stanton said. “This has been a very professional office, high integrity as far as ethics are concerned and that’s what I intend to do in this office.”
Stanton says that he wants to expand the offices connections with the area civic organizations as well as law enforcement.
“I’m hoping to open conversations with whatever groups or organizations wish to have input into jurisprudence and obtaining justice in Reno County,” Stanton said. “I’ve been asked to train at the sheriff’s office already. I’m sure I’ll have opportunities to train officers in the police department. Our communication lines are very good.”
Stanton says he has meetings with the Hutchinson Police Department on a fairly regular basis and hopes to expand that with the Sheriff’s department.
He wants all law enforcement to feel free to come to his office if there is a question or an issue and get them resolved.
Stanton was named deputy District Attorney the same day Schroeder was sworn in as the DA in September of 2001. He held that position until Monday when he became the DA. Stanton says he will run for office in the upcoming election.
Stanton received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Kansas in 1988, and his Law Degree from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1990. He was an Assistant Saline County Attorney from 1991 to 1995 and served as First Assistant Saline County Attorney from 1995 to 2001.
Stanton was also past President of the Kansas County District. Attorneys Association (KCDAA) for two terms; President of the Kansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (KADEC); President of the Kansas Prosecutors Foundation; and former Chief of the Legal Staff for Kansas Top Gun. Tom has received the following awards/recognition in his career: Governor’s Certificate of Recognition in the Fight Against Illegal Drugs in Kansas in 1997; Kansas Prosecutor of the Year in 2005 (presented by the KCDAA); Outstanding Drug Endangered Children Leadership Award in 2006 (presented by the KADEC); Prosecutor of the Year in 2017 (presented by the Kansas Narcotics Officers Association); and KCDAA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.