Retired New York State Police Senior Investigator Jim Horton was featured in the 2005 book “Every Move You Make” by investigative journalist M. William Phelps for solving a string of homicides and burglaries committed by Gary C. Evans in the late 80s. Horton arrested Evans for murdering Douglas J. Berry, a Watertown jewelry storeowner.

Horton will be the keynote speaker at SUNY Canton’s Law Enforcement Day, an annual event sponsored by the College’s student chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association (ACJA). He will be speaking about the case involving Evans, who was an expert manipulator and a master of disguise, according to written accounts. Since cracking the case, Horton has become the assistant director of the New York State Office of Counterterrorism.

Law Enforcement Day will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 3, in the Richard W. Miller Campus Center’s Kingston Theater. Presentations include a police canine demonstration, an overview of the “CSI Effect,” and bomb disposal and explosive devices. Horton’s keynote will be held at 6 p.m. on the same day and at the same location. All events held on Law Enforcement Day are free and open to the public.

“SUNY Canton students and members of the community can learn about a variety of subjects ranging from human trafficking to serial murderers,” said Susan E. Buckley, department chair of the criminal justice, law enforcement leadership and criminal investigation programs. “We will be expanding upon the most interesting and newest topics law enforcement officers face during their careers.”

For a complete schedule of events at Law Enforcement Day, contact Buckley at buckleys@canton.edu.

The day-long event will be honoring local law enforcement professionals and providing educational topics about raising awareness of violence in schools and the community at large. Sessions and presentations will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, in the Richard W. Miller Campus Center. The event is free and open to the public.

“It will have been 11 years since the shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado,” said SUNY Canton Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Brian K. Harte. “Our student leaders saw this date as an ideal time to reflect on school violence and create a dialog on how to best safeguard against future incidences.”

Among the topics presented at the symposium will be officer safety issues, self-defense techniques, and law enforcement recruitment. Presenters include local, regional, and SUNY Canton experts.

“These topics are highly relevant for professionals and future professionals working within education, law enforcement, and social services settings,” said Andrew C. Wood, a criminal investigation student and president of the College’s chapter of Beta Psi Delta, a Chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association. “These discussions will review previous national events like Columbine, assess current preparedness and procedures, and take a glimpse into the future. It’s an eye opener to see such a high number of middle and high schools utilizing metal detectors at their front doors.”

For more information, or to register for the event, email harteb@canton.edu or call 315.386.7967.