Metro undersheriff leaving for Strip casino job

Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie’s right-hand man is leaving Metro a few months earlier than expected.

Undersheriff Jim Dixon, 56, planned to retire when Gillespie’s term expired at the end of the year.

But next month Dixon will instead join Las Vegas Sands Corp., where he will oversee security for Sheldon Adelson’s Palazzo and The Venetian casinos on the Strip.

Gillespie said Dixon, who spent more than 30 years at Metro, was one of the department’s most “highly decorated” officers.

“He was a great No. 2 for me,” Gillespie said.

“I’ve known Jim for my entire career and he’s got a saying above the entryway in his office… ‘Leadership starts with you,’” Gillespie said. “If there’s a picture of somebody next to the word leader in the dictionary, it’s him.”

Dixon was promoted to lieutenant in 2005 and rose quickly at Metro. He was promoted to captain in 2007, deputy chief in 2009 and undersheriff in 2011. The undersheriff oversees Metro’s daily operations.

He did not immediately comment on his retirement Monday.

Gillespie said he won’t fill Dixon’s position, although Assistant Sheriff Joseph Lombardo will become the new No. 2 at Metro several months before his bid for the top job.

Lombardo is running for sheriff in November against former Metro Captain Larry Burns, and has been endorsed by Gillespie.

It’s common for Metro executives to take security jobs with casinos after they leave the force.

Former Assistant Sheriff Greg McCurdy retired last year and joined SLS Las Vegas, the upcoming luxury hotel and casino replacing the Sahara. Former Sheriff Bill Young oversees security at Station Casinos.

Gillespie, however, says he isn’t seeking a casino gig.

“I’m pretty content with retiring,” he said.

Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@reviewjournal.com. Follow @blasky on Twitter.