New Western District U.S. attorney begins duties

A career prosecutor was sworn in this week as the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri, which includes Springfield.

Nominated by President Barack Obama last July and confirmed unanimously Jan. 1 by the U.S. Senate, Tammy Dickinson was sworn in Jan. 7 by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips, the former U.S. attorney, according to a news release. David Ketchmark had been serving as acting U.S. attorney for the Western District.

In the position, Dickinson is the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the Western District, which includes Kansas City, St. Joseph, Columbia, Jefferson City and Springfield. She leads a staff of 127 employees, including 64 attorneys. The office prosecutes federal crimes in the district, defends the U.S. in civil cases and collects debts owed to the federal government.

Dickinson, a native of Kansas City who most recently served as the chief trial assistant for the Jackson County prosecutor's office, thanked Obama and Sens. Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt for their support in receiving the post.

“As a career state prosecutor, I look forward to working with my colleagues and law enforcement partners at the federal level,” Dickinson said in the release. “The U.S. attorney’s office has earned the respect of our community and a reputation for pursuing justice and enforcing the law without prejudice. I will strive to uphold that proud tradition.”