Born and raised in
Wilmington, Delaware, Gordon attended
Salesianum School, a private Catholic men's high school operated by the
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. He received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from
Wilmington University. He is a graduate of the
FBI National Academy as well as the
United States Secret Service Protection Program. Gordon joined the New Castle County Police Department in 1975 and was assigned to the Patrol Division Criminal Unit and the Attorney General's White Collar Crime Unit. He was promoted to sergeant in 1980, lieutenant in 1984, and captain in 1988. He was co-commander of the state's first serial killer task force which led to the apprehension and prosecution of
Steven Brian Pennell, the only known serial killer in Delaware history. He eventually became
Chief of Police, serving in the role for eight years. Gordon served as the president of the Fraternal Order of Police in Delaware from 1984 to 1986. The Law Enforcement Officer Bill of Rights was signed into law on May 13, 1985, during Gordon's term as president. Gordon worked closely with then Senator
Joseph Biden in the creation and writing of the U.S. Crime Bill which was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1994. He retired from the police department to run for county executive. In 1997, Gordon was elected as county executive for New Castle County and reelected to a second term four years later. During this time, he expanded parks and libraries in the county, raised wages for county employees, and increased county spending by more than 45 percent, helped by his successful effort to increase the amount of the state real estate transfer tax went to the county. He was defeated in the next election, losing the 2016 Democratic primary election to political newcomer
Matt Meyer in his attempt to become the first four-term county executive in the history of New Castle County. He was defeated in the next election, losing the 2016 Democratic primary election to political newcomer
Matt Meyer in his attempt to become the first four-term county executive in the history of New Castle County. ==Notes==