ENNIS, Thomas L.

Mohave Daily News, Mohave Valley, AZ - Published in Mohave Daily News Online from Aug. 14 to Aug. 24, 2011 Thomas "Tom" L. Ennis, age 75, a 12-year resident of Kingman, passed away Wednesday, August 10, 2011, in Kingman, Ariz. Tom was born in Kalamazoo, Mich. June 7, 1936. He served in the U.S. Army Intelligence, and retired in December 1984, from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office as the Chief Deputy with 21 years of service. Tom started the first police department in Bullhead City, Ariz., and served as the first police chief, retiring in 1987. Tom served on the Arizona Law Enforcement Merit Council for the Department of Public Safety of Arizona from November 1993 through June 2000, and he was the first chairman of the Surprise, Ariz., Fire and Police Retirement Board in 1999. Tom was a Past Member of the Arizona and International Association of Chiefs of Police, Past President of the Maricopa Lodge No. 5 Fraternal Order of Police, and the Arizona State Lodge President. He also served as National State Trustee to the Grand Lodge. After moving to Kingman, Tom started the Kingman Area Law Enforcement Retiree Breakfast Club, which had 70 members from 18 states. Tom was preceded in death by his son, Tom Jr. Tom is survived by his wife, Katie; two daughters, Melinda Bradley of Glendale, Ariz. and Julie Jacka of Aurora, Minn.; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 20, 2011, at Menke Funeral Home,12420 North 103rd Ave., Sun City, Ariz. A reception will follow at Menke Sun City Room. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom's memory to the American Cancer Society or Joan and Diana Hospice Home, 812 Airway Ave., Kingman, AZ 86409.