2014 Honorees

Steven Bogdalek

Steven Bogdalek graduated from Michigan State University earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice in 1986. Steven was a member of the Spartan football team as a starting offensive lineman and earned the 2nd Team All-Big Ten, 1st Team Academic All-Big Ten and the Potsy Ross Award for Outstanding Student/Athlete. Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, he played briefly in the NFL before launching his law enforcement career with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Steven was appointed as the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Detroit Field Division in January 2014, returning to lead the division where he began his law enforcement career in 1987. While serving as a Federal Agent, Steven has been instrumental in the investigation, arrest and conviction of numerous violent street gangs and many violent drug and firearm trafficking organizations. He has also worked directly with the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) in developing and implementing the “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” program that assists licensed firearms dealers in detecting and deterring the illegal purchase of firearms by straw purchasers.

Donna Hale

Donna Hale graduated from Michigan State University earning a Masters of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 1980 and a Ph.D. in Multidisciplinary Social Science in 1983. She taught at Georgia College, University of Baltimore and retired from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in 2010 to complete a Master of Divinity at Lancaster Theological Seminary.

After graduating, Donna continued her studies in Clinical Pastoral Education at Eastern Mennonite Seminary followed by a Chaplain Residency Program at Hershey Medical Center. She is ordained as a Community Chaplain at First United Church of Christ – Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Dr. Hale is Past-President of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and received the ACJS Founder’s Award for Service to the Academy. She was Editor of the journal Women & Criminal Justice. Her presentations and publications are in the areas of policing, popular culture and crime and justice.

Dennis Halverson

Dennis Halverson graduated from Michigan State University earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice in 1977. Dennis served as the Chief of Police for the City of Charlevoix from 1987 to 2005 retiring as the longest serving Chief of Police in the 100-year history of the city.

After his retirement from the City of Charlevoix as Chief, Dennis began working as the Safe Schools Coordinator for the Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District, where he assists 11 regional school districts with critical incident policy development, training and drilling. Dennis is a member of the Michigan State University Alumni Association and the School of Criminal Justice Alumni Association Board of Directors. Dennis was the past President of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and is a Life member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police.

William Nash

William Nash graduated from Michigan State University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Police Administration and Public Safety in 1968 and a Masters of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 1972. His career in the criminal justice arena spanned 36 years beginning as a patrol officer with the Lansing Police Department, serving as a Chief of Police for the Dewitt Township Police Department and concluding with the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, retiring as Deputy Director.

As a chief administrator at the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, Bill was the principle researcher for the development and implementation of law enforcement officer selection and training standards for Michigan’s 23,000 certified peace officers. He also wrote the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration grant that resulted in the State of Michigan implementing the initial twelve Michigan Basic Police Training Academies. William Nash is a member of the Michigan State University Alumni Association and served on the School of Criminal Justice Alumni Association Board of Directors for two terms (2006-2013).