Real Life Batman

Tragedy to Triumph

Mr. Synan’s wide experience has allowed him to have a unique look into the heroin crisis. Mr.Synan is a United States Marine Corps veteran. A 26-year police veteran and is the Police Chief with the Newtown Police Department. A 10 year SWAT veteran serving 4 years as Team Leader.

In 2014, after watching the last of an entire family die from drugs, the last two from heroin, Tom met with other members in Hamilton County and helped form the Hamilton County Heroin Coalition where he sits on the Steering Committee and Chair Interdiction. Mr. Synan coordinates law enforcement efforts to reduce supply and works with other members to help reduce demand.

Mr. Synan was asked to testify in Washington D.C.at a U.S. Senate Homeland Security Committee giving testimony on synthetic opiates and the impact Fentanyl and Carefentinal have had on the country. Mr. Synan was a speaker with President Clinton and other distinguished panelist for the Clinton Foundation discussing the opioid crisis at Johns Hopkins University.

Mr. Synan’s career and work with the opiate epidemic has been recorded and archived in the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington D.C. His work with the Coalition has been used in national and international publications and media outlets. Mr. Synan has spoken internationally on the heroin issue. Mr. Synan has been able to see all the ways that heroin touches lives and all the efforts it takes to help individuals, families struggling with addiction and the impact on communities; and has an in-depth understanding of the complexity of this issue.