Pima County Sheriff's Department Addresses 'Discrepancies' in Chris Nanos' Resume

Nanos' work history comes under scrutiny amid ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Pima County Sheriff's Department has acknowledged 'two clerical errors' in Sheriff Chris Nanos' publicly posted resume, including the date he resigned from the El Paso Police Department and the year he was promoted to captain. The department says these were 'administrative errors' and that Nanos has dedicated over four decades to law enforcement with 'integrity and a clear focus on protecting the residents of Pima County'.

Why it matters

The review of Nanos' resume comes as he leads the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of news anchor Savannah Guthrie. The discrepancies in Nanos' work history could raise questions about his credibility and transparency as the top law enforcement official overseeing this high-profile missing persons case.

The details

According to records, Nanos resigned from the El Paso Police Department in 1982, two years earlier than the date listed on his resume. The resignation came after a series of disciplinary issues, including insubordination, excessive force, off-duty gambling and tardiness. The Pima County Sheriff's Department has since corrected Nanos' resume to show he served with the El Paso PD from 1976 to 1982, and that he was promoted to captain in 2007, not 2009 as previously stated.

  • Nanos resigned from the El Paso Police Department in 1982, two years earlier than the date listed on his resume.
  • Nanos was promoted to the rank of captain in 2007, not 2009 as previously stated on his resume.

The players

Chris Nanos

The Sheriff of Pima County, Arizona, who is leading the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.

Nancy Guthrie

An 84-year-old woman who went missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona, on February 1, 2026.

Savannah Guthrie

Nancy Guthrie's daughter, a news anchor.

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What they’re saying

“The Pima County Sheriff's Department recently identified two clerical errors in Sheriff Chris Nanos' publicly posted resume. Both date discrepancies were administrative in nature and were not intended to mislead or misrepresent Sheriff Nanos' work history.”

— Pima County Sheriff's Department (usmagazine.com)

“Sheriff Nanos has dedicated more than four decades to law enforcement and public service. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to professionalism, accountability and the safety of the communities he serves. As Sheriff of Pima County, he continues to lead the department with experience, integrity and a clear focus on protecting the residents of Pima County.”

— Pima County Sheriff's Department (usmagazine.com)

What’s next

The Pima County Sheriff's Department has said it has corrected the errors in Nanos' resume, and that the discrepancies were administrative in nature and not intended to mislead. However, the review of Nanos' work history could continue to raise questions about his credibility as he leads the high-profile investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability for public officials, especially those in positions of trust like law enforcement leadership. While the Pima County Sheriff's Department has addressed the resume discrepancies, the scrutiny on Nanos' background could undermine public confidence in the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance if not handled carefully.