Tommy Le Noir
Encyclopedia
Detective
Thomas "Tommy" E. Le Noir is a 27 year law enforcement veteran with the Arlington Police Department in Arlington, Texas
. Currently serving in the Cold Case Unit, Le Noir has worked more than 20 years in the department’s homicide division, solving murders.
but spent his early years in Belle Chasse, Louisiana
, part of the New Orleans metropolitan area
. As a teenager, Le Noir’s family returned to Texas, settling in Arlington. Le Noir graduated with a Bachelor of Science
in criminal justice
from the University of Texas at Arlington
.
Le Noir himself credits his career in the law enforcement field to his father. Aside from serving in the military, Le Noir’s father was a heavyweight
professional boxer
who was a natural “protector” of not only his family and friends, but of anyone he felt was being abused or mistreated.
work. Three years later, Le Noir was selected to join the homicide division and was responsible for securing numerous capital convictions.
During his distinguished law enforcement career, Le Noir has earned 75 commendations, 11 departmental awards, his Master Police Officer State Certification and the honor of “Officer of the Year.” A black belt in martial arts
since 1975, Le Noir pioneered the Arlington Police Academy’s now required program in defensive tactics. He is also a certified instructor in basic and advanced courses in homicide investigation to outside police agencies at the North Texas Regional Police Academy and lectures extensively at colleges, high schools, civic groups and events and citizen police academies throughout the state.
Several of Le Noir’s homicide cases have earned national media attention – having been featured on CBS
’ Cold Case Files
, Dick Wolf
’s Arrest & Trial
and A&E
’s Forensic Files
among others. One of Le Noir’s most famous cases was that of serial killer Jack Reeves, which has been featured in eight different documentary programs including HBO’s America Undercover
: Autopsy series and the subject of the book Mail Order Murder by true crime author Patricia Springer.
Presently, Le Noir continues to investigate homicides in the Cold Case Homicide Unit. He is often called on to teach homicide investigation at the regional police academy, and lecture at universities while pursuing a second career in the entertainment venue. He has served in a consulting capacity on such shows as Rescue 911
, and as the host for Murder
, a Bunim-Murray Production that premiered on Spike TV in 2007.
Detective
A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...
Thomas "Tommy" E. Le Noir is a 27 year law enforcement veteran with the Arlington Police Department in Arlington, Texas
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
. Currently serving in the Cold Case Unit, Le Noir has worked more than 20 years in the department’s homicide division, solving murders.
Early life
Le Noir was born in Bryan, TexasBryan, Texas
Bryan is a city in Brazos County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 76,201. It is the county seat of Brazos County and is located in the heart of the Brazos Valley . It shares its border with the city of College Station, which lies to its south...
but spent his early years in Belle Chasse, Louisiana
Belle Chasse, Louisiana
Belle Chasse is a census-designated place in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. Belle Chasse is part of the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan area. The population was 9,848 at the 2000 census....
, part of the New Orleans metropolitan area
New Orleans metropolitan area
New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner, or the Greater New Orleans Region is a metropolitan area designated by the United States Census encompassing seven parishes in the state of Louisiana, centering on the city of New Orleans...
. As a teenager, Le Noir’s family returned to Texas, settling in Arlington. Le Noir graduated with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in criminal justice
Criminal justice
Criminal Justice is the system of practices and institutions of governments directed at upholding social control, deterring and mitigating crime, or sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and rehabilitation efforts...
from the University of Texas at Arlington
University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington is a public research university located in Arlington, Texas, United States. The campus is situated southwest of downtown Arlington, and is located in the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. The university was founded in 1895 and served primarily a military...
.
Le Noir himself credits his career in the law enforcement field to his father. Aside from serving in the military, Le Noir’s father was a heavyweight
Heavyweight
Heavyweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. Fighters who weigh over 200 pounds are considered heavyweights by the major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Council, and the World Boxing...
professional boxer
Professional Boxing
Professional boxing, or prizefighting, emerged in the early twentieth century as boxing gradually attained legitimacy and became a regulated, sanctioned sport. Professional boxing bouts are fought for a purse which is divided among the fighters and promoters as determined by contract...
who was a natural “protector” of not only his family and friends, but of anyone he felt was being abused or mistreated.
Police career
Le Noir joined the Arlington Police Department in 1980 in the patrol division and in two years earned a spot in the narcotics division and focused on undercoverUndercover
Being undercover is disguising one's own identity or using an assumed identity for the purposes of gaining the trust of an individual or organization to learn secret information or to gain the trust of targeted individuals in order to gain information or evidence...
work. Three years later, Le Noir was selected to join the homicide division and was responsible for securing numerous capital convictions.
During his distinguished law enforcement career, Le Noir has earned 75 commendations, 11 departmental awards, his Master Police Officer State Certification and the honor of “Officer of the Year.” A black belt in martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
since 1975, Le Noir pioneered the Arlington Police Academy’s now required program in defensive tactics. He is also a certified instructor in basic and advanced courses in homicide investigation to outside police agencies at the North Texas Regional Police Academy and lectures extensively at colleges, high schools, civic groups and events and citizen police academies throughout the state.
Several of Le Noir’s homicide cases have earned national media attention – having been featured on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
’ Cold Case Files
Cold Case Files
Cold Case Files is documentary television series on the cable channel A&E Network hosted by Bill Kurtis that documents the investigation of various long-unsolved murders through the use of modern forensic science , and criminal psychology, in addition to recent breakthroughs in the...
, Dick Wolf
Dick Wolf
Richard Anthony "Dick" Wolf is an American producer, specializing in crime dramas such as Miami Vice and the Law & Order franchise. Throughout his career he has won several awards including an Emmy Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.-Early life:Wolf was born in New York City, the son...
’s Arrest & Trial
Arrest & Trial
Arrest & Trial is a syndicated American nonfiction television program which follows individual criminal cases via a combination of reenactments and real trial footage. Episodes run for 30 minutes, and the program aired during the 2000 television season...
and A&E
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
’s Forensic Files
Forensic Files
Forensic Files is an American documentary-style series which reveals how forensic science is used to solve violent crimes, mysterious accidents, and even outbreaks of illness. The show is broadcast on truTV, narrated by Peter Thomas, and produced by Medstar Television, in association with truTV...
among others. One of Le Noir’s most famous cases was that of serial killer Jack Reeves, which has been featured in eight different documentary programs including HBO’s America Undercover
America Undercover
America Undercover is a television series of documentaries that airs on the cable television network HBO. Within the series are several sub-series, such as "Autopsy", "Real Sex" and "Taxicab Confessions". The series began in 1983 and, after a brief time being broadcast weekly in 2001, is now...
: Autopsy series and the subject of the book Mail Order Murder by true crime author Patricia Springer.
Presently, Le Noir continues to investigate homicides in the Cold Case Homicide Unit. He is often called on to teach homicide investigation at the regional police academy, and lecture at universities while pursuing a second career in the entertainment venue. He has served in a consulting capacity on such shows as Rescue 911
Rescue 911
Rescue 911 is an informational reality-based television series, hosted by William Shatner. Originally intended to be only a set of three TV specials, Rescue 911 was picked up by CBS for the 1989 fall season after two specials aired on April 18, 1989 and May 9, 1989...
, and as the host for Murder
Murder (TV series)
Murder is a ten episode reality television series which premiered on Spike TV on July 31, 2007. Two teams of civilians investigate a real crime scene and have 48 hours before they must present their findings to detective Tommy Le Noir, after which Le Noir describes what happened at the actual crime...
, a Bunim-Murray Production that premiered on Spike TV in 2007.