Criminal Justice Hall of Fame

Benjamin Campbell (Posthumous)

Class of 2011

Benjamin James Campbell, born on April 8, 1987, grew up in Easthampton, Massachusetts. He graduated from Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School in Northampton and pursued degrees in criminal justice at both Holyoke Community College and Westfield State University. In 2012, Campbell joined the Maine State Police, serving as a trooper in Penobscot County for 6½ years.

Campbell was known for his outstanding contributions both on and off the field. As a former standout baseball player, he led his team to victory in the Eastern Regional Tournament in 2001. He also continued his success at Westfield State, holding the season hits record and helping the team reach the NCAA Tournament.

In his role as Detective Ben Campbell with the Maine State Police, he demonstrated exemplary dedication and professionalism. From his training in the Basic Law Enforcement Program to his promotion as a licensed polygraph examiner, Campbell was known for his helpfulness, care, and approachability within the community. He also contributed significantly as an instructor for various training programs, including Emergency Vehicle Operation and Control (EVOC) and interview and interrogation techniques.

Campbell's commitment to public service and his impact as a dedicated member of the Maine State Police will be remembered with deep gratitude and respect.

David Campbell

Class of 1984

David Campbell retired from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in 2018 after a distinguished serving in law enforcement for 31 years. Beginning with the Clinton Police Department in 1987, he served as a patrolman before transitioning to the United States Marshals Service in 1995. Campbell then joined ATF in 1999, specializing in investigations of federal firearms violations.

During his ATF tenure, Campbell's roles expanded to include membership in ATF's Special Response Team, where he led high-risk operations nationwide. He also served as an instructor, sharing his expertise in firearms, arrest tactics, and tactical operations with law enforcement agencies.

Throughout his career, Campbell received numerous commendations for his contributions to successful investigations and training programs, including involvement in high-profile cases like the DC Sniper investigation, post-Hurricane Katrina efforts in New Orleans, and the Boston Marathon Bomber investigation.

In addition to his law enforcement career, Campbell earned an MBA from Anna Maria College in 1998. Since retirement, he has enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling, and staying active in sports like golf, softball, cycling, and powerlifting.

Campbell credits much of his success to the support of his wife, Colleen, and their children, Caitlin and Patrick. He also acknowledges the role of Westfield State in providing him with a solid education and lifelong friendships.

With a wealth of experience and a commitment to excellence, David Campbell continues to be a respected figure in law enforcement circles. His dedication to service, coupled with his leadership skills and expertise, has left an indelible mark on the field of criminal justice.

Cheryl Clapprood

Class of 1992

Cheryl Clapprood, Springfield's Police Superintendent, boasts over 40 years of dedicated service to the city. Initially appointed Acting Commissioner by Mayor Domenic J. Sarno in February 2019, she earned the permanent position in September of the same year, later being sworn in during a ceremony at Symphony Hall in October 2019. Her title transitioned to Superintendent in 2022.

Commencing her law enforcement journey as a Springfield Police Cadet in April 1979, Clapprood officially became a sworn officer after completing the Police Academy in October 1981. Throughout her career, she steadily climbed the ranks, earning promotions to Sergeant in September 1987, Lieutenant eleven years later, and eventually Deputy Chief in July 2017.

Clapprood's academic credentials include a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Western New England College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Westfield State College, and an Associate Degree in Law Enforcement from Springfield Technical Community College. She also served as an adjunct professor at Western New England College from 2000 to 2009.

Before her tenure with the Springfield Police Department, Clapprood served in the United States Air Force from 1978 to 1984. Throughout her career, she has undertaken diverse roles, including undercover narcotics officer, Special Victims Unit supervisor, and street supervisor.

Beyond her professional duties, Clapprood's community impact extends through her volunteerism and mentoring. She founded the Springfield Police Youth Athletic Association in 1994, coached numerous teams, and oversees the Stephen O’Brien Memorial Learn to Skate program.

Proudly hailing from Springfield, Clapprood holds the esteemed position of Superintendent of the Springfield Police Department, marking a significant milestone as the city's first female Superintendent

John Kotfila Jr. (Posthumous)

Class of 2008

Deputy Sheriff John Robert Kotfila Jr. dedicated six years of service to the Hillsborough County Florida Sheriff’s Department, operating out of District 5. He played a pivotal role in the Accident Investigation Unit and was instrumental in establishing the agency’s Safety Net program. This initiative utilized helicopters equipped with GPS locators to locate missing elderly patients and children with disabilities.

A standout achiever from an early age, Kotfila was named Student of the Year at Lawrence Junior High School in Falmouth, Massachusetts, in 1999. He graduated from Falmouth High School in 2003 before earning his bachelor's degree in science from Westfield State University. During his time at Westfield State, he also worked at the Westfield State Public Safety Unit.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Kotfila was an avid enthusiast of mountain biking, triathlons, Tough Mudders, and spent cherished moments with his loyal German Shepherd, Dexter.

On March 12, 2016, Kotfila protected innocent lives while traveling on the Selmon Expressway in Tampa, Florida, from a wrong-way drunk driver. His heroic act resulted in the ultimate sacrifice, and resulted in the saving of two civilians. His valorous actions are commemorated on several esteemed memorial walls, including the Law Enforcement Memorial Wall in Washington DC, the Police Hall of Fame in Titusville, Florida, and the Florida Sheriff’s Association Wall.

Kotfila hailed from a family deeply rooted in law enforcement. His father serves as a Sergeant in the Massachusetts State Police, his maternal grandfather was a Lieutenant in the same force, and his paternal grandfather served as a Holyoke Police Officer. Moreover, Kotfila's siblings, uncle, and cousin all followed the path of law enforcement, with his sister Katelyn Grace Kotfila joining the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department in 2017, eventually earning a promotion to Corporal in 2024.

Kenneth O'Connor 

Class of 1987

Kenneth M. O'Connor Jr. dedicated 37 years to serving the Massachusetts Trial Court, demonstrating unwavering commitment and leadership across various roles. His journey began as a Probate Court Officer, steadily advancing to the position of Chief Court Officer in 1994, a role he held until 2014. Subsequently, O'Connor assumed the role of Regional Assistant Director of Security for the four Western Counties of Courts until his retirement in 2016.

Throughout his tenure, O'Connor undertook numerous initiatives to enhance security and community engagement within the Trial Court system. He established the Trial Court Honor Guard, representing Western Massachusetts, and secured participation in the City's Emergency Notification System from Springfield. Additionally, O'Connor pioneered a tactical team to address detainee conflicts and collaborated closely with law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities on security matters.

Beyond his security responsibilities, O'Connor actively engaged with local schools, offering courthouse tours and speaking at college career days. He served on committees addressing substance abuse and gang-related issues and played a vital role in training new recruits at the Court Officer Academy.

O'Connor's exemplary leadership during the 2011 Springfield tornado garnered recognition and an award for overseeing the response efforts of his Court officers. In May 2018, he was honored with the prestigious John M. Greaney Award for his significant contributions to the Hampden County Legal Community.

Married to Anne for forty-three years, O'Connor credits his family's unwavering support as the cornerstone of his success. He cherishes his three children, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren, acknowledging their encouragement throughout his distinguished career.

Jeffrey Trask

Class of 2002

Jeffrey Trask is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse background in criminal justice, emergency management, and insurance risk management. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Westfield State University in 2022, he went on to earn a Master of Science in Management from The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C.

Since 2018, Trask has served as the Head of Business Continuity, Emergency Management, and Insurance Risk Management at ISO New England, where he has played a pivotal role in developing and implementing policies to enhance management and emergency notification systems.

Prior to his current role, Trask spent three years as the Senior Director in the Office of Enterprise Resilience and Global Operations at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. There, he established the MassMutual Global Operations Center, receiving the 2016 Winners Circle Award for his contributions in improving major IT outages.

Trask's career also encompasses law enforcement experience, including roles as a Correctional Officer, Instructor for the Municipal Police Training Council, and Deputy Sheriff in various Massachusetts municipalities.

Certified by both the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University in crisis leadership and emergency management, Trask has demonstrated his expertise in leading teams and divisions across multiple cities in Western Massachusetts, including Ludlow, Agawam, Chicopee, Framingham, Cambridge, Springfield, and Holyoke.

Throughout his illustrious career, Trask has shown unwavering dedication to planning and managing emergency situations, implementing safety-enhancing policies, and fostering collaborative business partnerships. His wealth of experience and commitment to excellence make him a respected leader in his field.

Dr. Kimberly Tobin

Distinguished Service

Dr. Kimberly Tobin has been a dedicated member of Westfield State University (WSU) since 1998, initially serving as a faculty member in the criminal justice department before transitioning to administrative roles. She also served as the Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education and later as the Interim Vice President of Administration and Finance until December 2016. Returning to a faculty position in January 2017, Dr. Tobin teaches in the criminal justice and Master of Public Administration programs, specializing in areas like diversity in criminal justice, applied ethics, juvenile delinquency, group process, and criminological theory and methods.

With numerous published works, including a co-authored work that received the Michael J. Hindelang Outstanding Book Award, Dr. Tobin is highly regarded in her field. She teaches courses on criminal justice planning, comparative criminal justice, and public policy analysis, maintaining a strong commitment to student success as a teacher, advisor, and mentor in various programs.

Beyond academia, Dr. Tobin actively engages in public service, serving on departmental, university, and community committees and boards. She provides research support for community-based grants and offers planning and grant support to her local municipal government. In her personal life, Dr. Tobin enjoys spending time with her husband, engaging in activities like gardening, cooking, homesteading, reading, traveling, and visiting family.

Sean Gannon (posthumous)

Class of 2007

The first K-9 narcotics officer for the Yarmouth Police Department, Sean Gannon died in the line of duty from a gunshot wound on April 12, 2018. A Department member since 2010, Gannon was a member of the Emergency Management Unit and the Proactive Anti-Crime Team. He was posthumously promoted to sergeant.

He began his career as a member of the Stonehill College Campus Police in 2007 and held certifications as an EMT and Life Saving Instructor. Gannon earned a master’s degree in emergency management from Mass Maritime Academy and was a graduate of the MBTA Municipal Police Academy.

Sergeant Gannon leaves a legacy of high moral integrity, infectious humor, and collaborative work with colleagues. He enjoyed travel, spending time with his family and friends, and generously donated his time to Big Brothers/Big Sisters. He is profoundly missed.

William Hackenson

Class of 1973

William Hackenson recently retired after a distinguished career which included 32 years in Federal law enforcement and 12 years in security/consulting. He served as a special agent for the United States Secret Service for 26 years, with increasing levels of supervisory and training experience, earning 10 merit awards. Highlights included assignments with President Reagan at the hospital following the attempted assassination, and two with the Webster Commission, which audited the practices of the IRS and made recommendations which successfully increased its productivity.

Hackenson later spent six years as deputy assistant inspector general with the Central Intelligence Agency and the final 12 years of his career as a security consultant and contractor.

He holds a M.S. in management from National Louis University and also served as an adjunct professor of management in the Department of Forensic Sciences at George Washington University. Hackenson resides

in Boston.

Gregory Long

Class of 1992

Gregory Long was appointed last August as the superintendent-in-chief of the Boston Police Department by Police Commissioner William Gross. A 22-year veteran of the BPD, he previously held positions as superintendent of Bureau of Investigative Services, commander/lieutenant detective of the special investigations and homicide units, and commander/lieutenant of the Youth Violence Strike Force. He began his career as an officer in Mattapan and Dorchester and the Youth Violence Strike Force prior to promotions to sergeant and lieutenant. Long holds a J.D. from the New England School of Law and is a native of Dorchester.

Kenneth McCarron

Class of 1976

Kenneth McCarron retired in 2017 after 37 years as a law enforcement professional, highlighted by 21 years as a supervisory agent and special agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, where he supervised up to 35 DEA personnel through complex federal drug and money laundering investigations, both domestically and abroad. In addition to accolades received from the U.S. State Department, U.S. Coast Guard and Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, McCarron received the DEA’s highest honor for his service, the DEA Administrator’s Award for Valor after helping save the lives of 13 citizens of the Bahamas following the destruction of Hurricane Floyd in 1999. He earned a M.S. in criminology from American International College and lives in St. Augustine, Fla., with his wife of 25 years, Lori.

Matthew Nye

Class of 2002

Matthew Nye is a special agent with the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), in the Office of Mobile Security Deployments. Over the past 10 years, he has served in a number of critical overseas posts, providing protection for U.S. ambassadors and diplomatic outposts during periods of conflict and instability. Some of these postings include Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Somalia, and Pakistan.

When the events of 9/11 occurred during the fall of his senior year at Westfield, Matt put a career in law enforcement on hold in order to serve in the military. He served as an infantry officer in the Army National Guard, deploying in 2006, and continued to serve as a civil affairs officer in the Army Reserve after joining DSS, deploying in 2015.

Nye credits much his success to his Westfield State education, influential mentor WSU Prof. William Cook, and his supportive parents, Tom and Janine Nye, who are here today.

Barbara O’Connor

Class of 1985

Barbara O’Connor retired in 2016 after a career in law enforcement that spanned more than three decades. She served UMass Amherst’s Office of Public Safety for more than 25 years, culminating as its chief of Police for eight years. She later held similar responsibilities at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Connecticut. Both positions included additional supervisory duties for a variety of emergency planning and training initiatives. Her work on the Sandy Hook Advisory Commission after the tragic elementary school shooting led to new laws leading to enhanced school safety and practices throughout Connecticut. Her numerous accolades are highlighted by recognition as the National Association of Women’s Law Enforcement Executives Women Leader of the Year in 2013.

She holds a master’s degree in labor studies from UMass Amherst, a J.D. from Western New England School of Law and was a licensed attorney in Massachusetts until her retirement.

Brian Person

Class of 1995

Brian Person is a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), where he has served for 15 years. His career has included positions with the U.S. Marshal Service, Federal Air Marshal Service, Bureau of Prisons and Connecticut Department of Corrections. A criminal investigator in Massachusetts, he is the crisis negotiation team leader for the ATF’s Special Response Team for Region 2, and the ATF representative to the Mass. FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.  Among his many commendations include three Investigative Excellence awards, an Award of Excellence for his contributions to the Boston Marathon Bombing investigation and special recognition for his efforts on scene for the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

He holds a master’s degree in human services counseling-criminal justice from Liberty University and has taught online criminal justice courses for Post University.

Person recognizes his wife, Lisa, daughter Abigail, and son Timothy for their support. Since 2007, the Person family has served as a respite foster home, devoted to working with displaced children in need from throughout Western Mass. The Persons reside in Wilbraham.

The Dr. Victor Ascolillo Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. L. Michael McCartney

The Dr. Victor Ascolillo Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to Dr. L. Michael McCartney for his efforts in creating the Department of Criminal Justice and for educating a lifetime of students in the fields of criminal justice and law.

Timothy Alben

Class of 1984

Timothy Alben ’84 retired from the Massachusetts State Police in 2015 after 32 years of service. He led the Commonwealth’s law enforcement agency as its colonel/superintendent for three years.

Robert Alberti

Class of 2014

Robert Alberti M’14 was appointed as chief of the Easthampton Police Department (EPD) in 2016, after 18 years on the force. He joined the EPD full-time in 2002, was promoted to detective in 2004 and named captain in 2013. In 2015, Alberti was accepted into the FBI National Academy and maintains FBI top secret clearance for counterterrorism and international terrorism investigations.

Edward DeMarco Jr.

Class of 1999, 2014

Edward DeMarco Jr. ’99, M’14 has served as chief of the East Windsor, Connecticut Police Department (EWPD) for 15 years, in a law enforcement career that began in 1988. Since 2012, he has also served as East Windsor’s director of emergency management.

Arlene Enos

Class of 1986

Arlene Enos ’86 is the port director of Customs and Border Protection in New Bedford, Mass., responsible for ports located in New Bedford, Fall River, and Plymouth. Directed by a mission to prevent terrorism, Enos supervises the enforcement of customs, immigration and agricultural laws, and facilitates international trade.

Mike Foyle

Class of 1995, 2006, 2011

Mike Foyle ’95, ’06, M’11 is captain of the Westfield State University Police Department, which he has faithfully served for 19 years. He has served in a variety of roles for the Department including Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, and Accreditation Manager for 11 years.

Irma Garcia-Zingarelli

Class of 1986

Irma Garcia-Zingarelli ’86 retired in 2015 from the United States Probation and Pretrial Services in Springfield, where she served as a probation officer and electronic monitoring specialist for 27 years.

Sean McDonough

Class of 1983

Sean McDonough ’83 served the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a special agent for 25 years in five domestic locations, as well as at offices in Peru and Colombia. He earned the DEA’s highest award, the “DEA Administrators Award for Excellence” for actions taken in the Peruvian jungles to rescue a U.S. Missionary family that was mistakenly shot down by the Peruvian Air Force.

Tobias Roche

Class of 1979

Tobias Roche ’79 is a licensed private investigator for his company, Private Eye Miami PLLC. His area of expertise involves international cases pertaining to money laundering, asset identification, immigration and customs, fugitives, and Interpol/OFAC matters. He has more than 30 years of federal government service, including executive and managerial positions with the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), the U.S. Customs Service (USCS), and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agencies.

Paul Zipper

Class of 1982

Paul Zipper ’82 has served the Massachusetts State Police for 31 years and currently serves as the section commander of the Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit, operating out of the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Cheryl Bassett

Class of 1988

Cheryl Bassett currently serves as a domestic operations chief for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in Washington, D.C. She is responsible for managing and coordinating all operational and administrative activities in 56 HIS offices along the United States’ Southwest border.

Patrick Cahillane

Class of 1991

Patrick Cahillane was elected Sheriff of Hampshire County in 2016. He began his career in the field at the Union Street Jail in Northampton as a correctional officer. He is the only person in Western Massachusetts who holds a certificate from the American Jail Association as a Certified Jail Manager. He also served in the National Guard for six years.

Carlos Canino

Class of 1988

Carlos Canino is the Deputy Assistant Director of Field Operations for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a position he was appointed to in November 2016. Currently, he is responsible for leading the men and women of ATF’s Special Operations Division, Firearms Operations Division, National Investigations Division and ATF’s National Center for Explosives Training and Research.

John “Jack” Flynn

Class of 1979

John “Jack” Flynn serves as the chief administrative officer for the Massachusetts State Police. His service has included: direct care and custody services, public safety law, and public safety administration.

William Hogan III

Class of 1977

William Hogan III is currently a partner in the Boston-based law firm Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP. He practices in the areas of business litigation, governmental relations, administrative law, and sports business law.

Janine Mauldin

Class of 2003

In 2016, Janine Mauldin was promoted to patrol sergeant in the Nantucket Police Department. She built her career there, serving first as a summer special officer and then as a full-time officer.

Marian McGovern

Class of 1988

In December 2009, Marian McGovern was appointed as the first woman Superintendent and Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police by Gov. Deval Patrick, a position she served until her retirement in 2012. Her 33-year career began when she joined the Massachusetts State Police and served as a road trooper and drill instructor.

Genaro Medina Jr.

Class of 1997

Genaro Medina Jr. is currently assigned as the special agent/task force coordinator for the Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force. His career in the field began in September 1992 when he worked for the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department.

Nicole “Nikki” Noble

Class of 2008

Nicole “Nikki” Noble is currently a senior intelligence research specialist for the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations. She previously served as an analyst at the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) in Washington, D.C. for seven years.

James Scripture Jr.

Class of 1989

James Scripture Jr. is currently an assistant professor at Bay Path University in Longmeadow where he teaches Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics. Before he started teaching, he served as a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation for 36 years.

Colonel John Aho, USMC (Ret.)

Class of 1985

Colonel John Aho, USMC (Ret.) currently serves as a senior strategic policy analyst for American Systems Corporation, supporting the Department of Defense Non-Lethal Weapons Program.

Special Agent Dale Armstrong

Class of 1985

Dale Armstrong began his law enforcement career in 1986 as a criminal investigator with the U.S. Customs Service in Marathon, Florida where he conducted narcotics investigations and operated a high-speed narcotics interceptor vessel.

Judge David J. Dacyczyn

Class of 1982

Associate Justice, Probate and Family Courts in Berkshire, Hampshire and Hampden counties.

Edward P. Deveau

Class of 1978

Watertown Police Chief Edward P. Deveau retired in 2015 after fourteen years as chief and 32 years on the force. He was thrust into the national spotlight following the dramatic shoot-out with the Boston Marathon bombers, and the 20-hour search for convicted bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

Special Agent Michael J. Devine

Class of 1982

In 2013, Devine retired from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service with twenty-four years of service. This tenure included a decade long assignment to the Counter Intelligence Division of the Los Angeles Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

William Fallon

Class of 1989

William Fallon was appointed to the Senior Executive Service and appointed as Assistant Director for the USMS Training Division (TD). Mr. Fallon joined the USMS in June, 1988 and was first assigned as a Deputy U.S. Marshal (DUSM) in the District of Massachusetts.

Colonel (ret.) Thomas Foley

Class of 1976

Thomas Foley was appointed Colonel/Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police in 2001. Previously, he was selected to serve in the State Police Intelligence Unit and participated in the investigation that removed James “Whitey” Bulger and associates from their reign of terror and held them accountable for numerous murders.

Sergeant Jeremy Forbes

Class of 1995

Sergeant Jeremy Forbes is with the Maine State Police and a proud graduate of Westfield State University’s Criminal Justice program. One of his career highlights was being nominated seven times, and awarded Maine State Police Trooper of the Year, 2004 and 2012 - only the second trooper in history to receive this prestigious honor twice.

Captain Raymond Gonsalves

Class of 1991

Captain Raymond Gonsalves joined the Massachusetts Department of Correction in 1991 as a Correction Officer. During his twenty-five year career he has served the Department of Correction in many roles.

Chief Jody Kasper

Class of 1991, 2001, 2006

Chief Jody Kasper has been with the Northampton Police Department since 1998. She began her career as a bike patrol officer, then served as a detective for six years and ran the detective bureau as its lieutenant. After almost two decades on the force, she was sworn in as Northampton’s first female police chief.

Agent Thomas O’Connor

Class of 1990

Following graduation from Quantico FBI Academy, SA O’Connor was assigned to the Washington Field Office (WFO) Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). He has been serving on the JTTF for 19 years and has investigated cases of both Domestic and International Terrorism.