MARICOPA COUNTY ATTORNEY ANDREW THOMAS (Tribune file photo)

The media (neither mainstream or Internet era) usually don’t take the time to remark or offer praise when a politician simply does his or her job. But Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas has been a lightning rod of controversy in the past two years, and he has brought at least some of his troubles upon himself. So a source made a good point today when I was asked if anyone was going to recognize the work of Thomas and his staff in obtaining multiple death penalty sentences for one of the high-profile killers in the Serial Shooter case. Even if Dale Hausner could somehow prevent state execution, he’s never going to leave prison as a free man.

Thomas and the Phoenix Police Department took some risks when they investigated and then arrested Hausner and partner Samuel Dieteman. Uncertain if they had collected enough evidence yet to get murder convictions, Thomas and Phoenix officials agreed to get the two off the street only a few days after they became suspects in order to prevent additional random killings that had terrorized the entire Valley.

Not only did Thomas’ office build a strong case, some prosecutor managed to convince Dieteman to plead guilty to two murders and then to testify against Hausner, and even though Dieteman can still get the death penalty as well. (Dieteman’s sentencing was delayed until after Hausner’s). In fact, I assume Thomas’ prosecutors will push for a second execution, given that Dieteman was an active, willing participant in the serial shootings who was stopped only by the police handcuffs and jail bars.

I’m impressed these prosecutions didn’t fall victim to Thomas’ re-election campaign last year, his various clashes with the judiciary, or his out-and-out dog fight with the county Board of Supervisors. These two cases proceeded without any unnecessary drama and there was little doubt that Hausner would receive the justice he deserved. This is the kind of attention to safety that the public expects and deserves from a county attorney.

There are many ways that I am concerned about Thomas’ management of the county attorney’s office, the latest being I simply don’t understand how Thomas can argue he has no conflict of interest in prosecuting county Supervior Don Stapley (and by effect, seeking to have Stapley removed from office) while still offering legal advice on other matters to Stapley and the rest of the board.

But when it comes to the Serial Shooter case, Thomas and his staff have done an excellent job.