FPPOA's RICHARD F. DOYLE NATIONAL LINE OFFICER OF THE YEAR AND NORTHEAST LINE OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Chief Probation Officer Jana Law (PA-E) is pleased to share that Sr. USPO Ken Bergmann is this year's recipient of FPPOA's National Line Officer of the Year Award. While Ken was aware that he had already won the award for the Northeast Regional Line Officer of the Year, he was surprised to learn at the award ceremony that he had also won the national award. The ceremony took place in Chief Judge Juan R. Sánchez’s courtroom, and Ken celebrated this event with his family, friends, judges, members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, retirees, and other law enforcement representatives. All in attendance cheered not once but twice when they discovered Ken received both prestigious honors. Ken established a mobile application where officers are notified, in real time, of areas to avoid due to shootings/police traffic. This has been a key initiative in their district due to increased violence and homicide rates in Philadelphia. Ken has a BS degree in Criminal Justice from Lycoming College and a MS degree in criminal justice from Saint Joseph’s University. He was a Philadelphia County adult probation officer for 6 years prior to becoming a federal probation officer. He has over 22 years with PA-E, the last dozen of which he has been a special offender specialist. Please join PPSO in congratulating Ken for his receipt of this prestigious honor.

GREAT LAKES LINE OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTED IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO

On December 11, 2023, Southern District of Ohio, Senior Probation Officer Jennifer McGonigle was presented the Federal Probation Pretrial Officers Association (FPPOA) Great Lakes Region Line Officer of the Year (LOY) award. Officer McGonigle was selected for her contributions to the Southern District of Ohio and our national system. Officer McGonigle serves as a Substance Abuse/Mental Health Specialist. She is also instrumental in her district’s evidence-based, wellness, and diversity initiatives implementation process. Furthermore, Officer McGonigle represents the 6th Circuit on the national post-conviction supervision working group. Congratulations, and thanks to Officer Melissa Stidham for her continued contributions to our system.

MID-ATLANTIC LINE OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTED IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA

Sr. USPO Elissa Martins was the recipient of the Mid-Atlantic Regions Line Officer Award. On February 26, 2024, the Eastern District of Virginia Court family gathered to celebrate Sr. USPO Elissa Martins’ prestigious award, with opening remarks by the Honorable Leonie M. Brinkema. Also in attendance were many of Sr. USPO Martins’ family and friends, several of which attended virtually including officers from various Districts. A former client of Sr. USPO Martins served as a guest (and surprise) speaker, with several past and present clients submitting letters of support and gratitude. FPPOA Representative for the Eastern District of Virginia, Dave Fish, presented background on the history of Mark Anthony Sneberger Line Officer of the Year Award and Supervisory U.S. Probation Officer Bethany Erding introduced the official nomination. The award was presented by Chief U.S. Probation Officer Paul Arnett which was followed by celebratory cake and goodies.

WESTERN REGION LINE OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTED IN THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA-(TUCSON)



U.S. Pretrial Services Intensive Supervision Specialist Jade McCawley was presented with the Federal Probation and Pretrial Officers Association (FPPOA) 2023 Charles Venz Western Region Line Officer of the Year award in Tucson, AZ. The award was presented to Officer McCawley by U.S. District Judge James A. Soto, several U.S. Magistrate Judges, Chief U.S. Pretrial Services Officer Phillip Munoz, Deputy Chief U.S. Pretrial Services Officer Pete Rea, and Assistant Deputy Chief Probation Officer Sharie Lutt, with various staff members present virtually and in person.  

SOUTHEAST LINE OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTED IN THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

Sr. USPO Carlos H. Silva, Jr. of the Middle District of Florida was presented FPPOA’s 2023 Southeast Region Line Officer of the Year award on March 5, 2024. His family and Court family gathered for the occasion and opening remarks were made by the Honorable Charlene Honeywell. USPO Silva was recognized for his passion and commitment to our agency and to his clients. He presently serves as a Special Offender Specialist and aids other districts during national disasters as a member of the AO’s Location Monitoring Program. He most recently provided assistance to the District of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona caused devastating damages to the island in late September 2022. Additionally, USPO Silva represented federal probation during a presentation to defense attorneys from the Republic of Georgia, highlighting our system’s history, supervision practices, and resources used to assist offenders. USPO Silva has worked tirelessly to establish working relationships with community partners to provide emergency services for clients, and he continues to develop initiatives to secure other resources. He is also dedicated to fostering a collegial environment in his district and has co-founded a monthly roundtable for staff to share their experiences from the field, the courtroom, and their personal lives. Congratulations and special thanks to USPO Silva for his dedication to our system and those we serve.

CENTRAL LINE OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTED IN NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA

On March 8, 2024, U.S. Probation Officer Jessica Barnett (USPO Barnett) of the Northern District of Oklahoma was presented with the Federal Probation and Pretrial Officers Association (FPPOA) 2023 Adolfo Sanchez Central Region Line Officer of the Year award. The award ceremony took place in the Tulsa Office of the Northern District of Oklahoma with many staff in attendance. USPO Barnett was unaware she would be the recipient of this award, and Chief U.S. Probation Officer Ashley Schneeberg organized the ceremony under the guise of a training and luncheon. The award was presented by the FPPOA Central Region President Jennifer Morris.

USPO Barnett has only been with the Northern District of Oklahoma for two years and serves as a Presentence Report writer. The nomination highlighted her dedication to her work and to the goals of the district. She was described as an officer willing and able to go above and beyond to meet the needs of the court. By all accounts, USPO Barnett produced a high-quality and timely work product. She displayed leadership by assisting newer officers and legal interns in their job duties, and she is known for her professionalism, as recognized by the local legal community and amongst district judges.

As a result of the Supreme Court decision in McGirt v Oklahoma, the Presentence Report caseload in the Northern District of Oklahoma nearly tripled. USPO Barnett produced many Presentence Reports, and despite the increased quantity, they were individualized and just. These reports displayed USPO Barnett's passion for the job and reflect how she treats each investigation with renewed precision, objectivity, and diligence. USPO Barnett clearly met FPPOA's Charter for Excellence in that she exhibited exceptional performance, provided outstanding service to stakeholders, and completed services to meet our system's needs.