Executive Director

Wichita Crime Commission

Executive Director Gordon Bassham joined the Wichita Crime Commission on June 21st, 2010 following a long and distinguished career in both journalism and law enforcement. Gordon, who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from the University of Houston, most recently worked for the Wichita Police Department as Assistant to the Chief.

Gordon began his law enforcement career as a commissioned, full-time officer with the Garden City Police Department in western Kansas.  Graduating from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center as president of the 172nd Basic Class, his law enforcement experience includes service with the Garden City Police Department, the Finney County Sheriff's Office and the Wichita Police Department.

Prior to Gordon’s law enforcement career, he spent many years as a journalist working as a writer, editor, reporter and anchor at ABC Radio News. His broadcast experience also includes work for National Public Radio, the Voice of America, the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.  Among his many awards, Gordon has been honored twice with the Wichita PoliceDepartment’s Distinguished Service Award, the American Legion’s Fourth Estate Award, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's highest award, the Gold Award for Special Achievement in Public Service. This award is given for distinctive journalistic service to the United State of America.

In addition to his duties with the Wichita Crime Commission, Gordon is vice chairperson of the board of directors of Crime Stoppers of Wichita/Sedgwick County. Gordon served with the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He and his wife, Dianne, live in the greater Wichita area.