On Saturday, November 11, 2006, NDAA’s own Mary Sawicki was presented with an award honoring “Everyday Heroes,” at the 60th anniversary celebration of Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts. Mary serves as a senior attorney with the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse.

Joanne Michaels

At the 2006 Campaign Safe and Sober Annual Luncheon on November 14, 2006, New York State’s Mothers Against Drunk Driving presented an award of special recognition to NDAA’s Joanne Michaels. The award recognizes her work as bureau chief of the DWI Unit at the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office and her efforts in enhancing and creating anti-DUI programs.

Jefferson County, Missouri, Prosecutor, Robert G. Wilkins was the first recipient of the Robert G. Wilkins Child Advocate of the year award—an honor obviously named after Wilkins himself. The award was presented by the Child Advocacy Center of East Central Missouri, an organization of which Wilkins was a founder. Wilkins is the longest serving prosecutor in Jefferson County’s history; he was the first to serve as president of the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys; and he has been president of the Child Advocacy Center of East Central Missouri Board of Directors for the past six years.

Several prosecutors were honored at the 2006 Annual Minnesota County Attorneys Association Meeting in December:

• The Award of Excellence was presented to Kanabec County Attorney Norman Loren and Olmsted County Attorney Raymond F. Schmitz. “The award honors individuals who have engaged in activities that express high levels of dedication, professionalism and commitment to public service.”
  
  
• The Meritorious Service Award was presented to Assistant Ramsey County Attorney Mark Ponsolle. “This award honors a Minnesota County Attorneys Association (MCAA) member who has demonstrated leadership within his or her office, or has served in key roles in the MCAA governance structure to advance the goals of MCAA.”
  
  
• The Professional Achievement Award was presented to Assistant Hennepin County Attorney Robert Rudy. “The award is presented to an assistant county attorney who has dedicated significant time and skill to the advancement of the profession.”
  
  
• David C. Brown, assistant Hennepin County attorney in Minnesota was honored by the National College of District Attorneys at its 16th Annual Multidisciplinary National Conference on Domestic Violence in Houston, Texas, in October 2006. Brown was presented with the Distinguished Faculty Award, “awarded to faculty members who consistently exhibit exceptional talent and dedication toward the education of America’s prosecutors.”
  
  
• MCAA Executive Director John Kingrey, was recently honored with the Hennepin County Attorney 2006 Community Leadership Award. The award recognizes individuals and organizations who have exhibited outstanding leadership in “protecting the rights and safety of people in Hennepin County.”

In August 2006, Stephen K. Haller was appointed prosecuting attorney in Greene County, Ohio. During his 31-year career in the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office, Haller has represented the state and county in thousands of criminal and civil cases. He has argued cases before the Second District Court of Appeals, the Ohio Supreme Court and practiced law in Xenia with U.S. Senator Mike Dewine, Assistant U.S. Attorney William Schenck and U.S. District Judge Thomas Rose. Haller ran unopposed this election year. He is proud of his staff and his office’s dedicated service to seeking justice.

On November 16, 2006, Joseph P. D’Allessandro was honored for “being a servant of democracy, justice, and freedom” when the Florida State Public Building was renamed the Joseph P. D’Allessandro Office Building. D’Allessandro retired in 2002 as state attorney for the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida. He had previously been recognized for his outstanding public service.

Several awards were presented at the Texas District and County Attorneys Association’s Annual Criminal and Civil Law Update in South Padre, Texas.

• Wood County District Attorney, Marcus Taylor was awarded the State Bar Prosecutor of the Year Award.
  
  
• Former assistant DA in Harris County, Casey Garrett was presented with the Chris Marshall Award.

Deaths

Judge James H. DeWeese, long time prosecutor and former NDAA president died on November 29, 2006, at age 95. DeWeese dedicated his career to the criminal justice system and will be remembered for the contribution he made to the field of prosecution. Current NDAA President Mat Heck said, “Jim DeWeese was a long-time family friend, and served as an Ohio Prosecuting Attorney with my father. Jim was a great prosecutor and dedicated public servant.”

Grand County (Utah) Attorney Bill Benge died of a heart attack on October 20, 2006. He served as the Grand county attorney for almost 30 years. He was described as “compassionate and caring, combative and controversial.” He will be missed by his community and NDAA.

District Attorney for District Eight of Oklahoma Joe Wideman died on September 23 at the age of 68 from a long illness. He served as district attorney for 22 years before moving to private practice.