Originally this conference was only for members of his unit, the Vehicle Identification Bureau of the Illinois State Police. However, as word got out about the educational value of the conference, other police agencies requested to attend. What started out as a small group of Illinois State Police Officers grew until it became too difficult for one agency to host the conference year after year.

With the encouragement and guidance of Captain Oliver, a group of officers petitioned the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators, for permission to charter a chapter. In 1972 the North Central Regional Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators was born.

The Clyde W. Oliver Jr. Award was established in 1990 to honor the loyalty, leadership, perseverance, and dedication of our founding father. This award can be presented to any North Central Regional Chapter member who has given outstanding service, leadership, and dedication to the organization. Although the award is offered each year, it is not necessary to have a recipient.

Past recipients are;

• Edward Skworch, of the National Auto Theft Bureau,
• Lee Starr, of the Chicago Police Department,
• Connie Golemba, of the AAA of Michigan,
• Paul Seiler, of the Chicago Police Department,
• H. Lee Ballard, of the Ford Motor Company,
• Dennis Meyer, of the Illinois State Police,
• Billy Hacker, of the Milwaukee Police Department,
• Glenn Wheeler, of the State Farm Insurance Company,
• Stan Lutz, of the Genesee Auto Theft Investigative Network,
• Peter Simet, of the Milwaukee Police Department.
• G. J. (Skip) Copeland, of the Marion County, IN., Sheriffs Department.
• Cheryl Zofkie, of the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
• Michael Schlomas, of Illinois State Police.
• George Schemenauer, of the Berrian County Sheriff’s Department
• Ken Schimnoski, Retired Michigan State Police, AAA of Michigan
• Steven Reid, of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
• Barb Rambo, of the National Insurance Crime Bureau

2009 Clyde Oliver Memorial Award Winner

This year we have another very deserving honoree. This year’s honoree has been in law enforcement for over three decades and an NCRC member for over 20 years.

Our honoree has served the NCRC as a regional representative, on the NCRC board of directors, as an on-site committee member, as an on-site committee co-chairman, as an on-site committee chairman, 2nd Vice President, 1st Vice President, and President.

Our nominee served as a Iowa State Trooper and Sergeant for 32 years, prior to that he served his country in the United States Air Force for 4 years. This years Clyde Oliver Memorial recipient is Kenneth P. Hawcott.

In addition to what was said about Ken earlier we still do not know the person fully.  Ken has been married to Marguerite for over 32 years.  They have two sons (Ben and James) and a daughter (Marie).  Ken is involved in many other endeavors like being president of the Nevada, Iowa Kiwanis club and will lead this year’s sweet corn sale, a major fund raiser for this service organization. Ken servers as a mentor for kindergarten children, assists with the children’s bicycle rodeo, drives for the seniors meals on wheels program, helps out at the Reiman Gardens in Ames Iowa, sings in a contemporary choir for his church, and servers on the church parish relationship committee.  And yes, Ken does have some time for himself to fish, watch his favorite basketball team, the Iowa State woman’s team, and ride his bike. Last summer Ken completed a 100 mile bicycle ride and when asked why, Ken stated “he just wanted to do it”.

The chairman of the nominating committee is Past President, Billy Hacker. 

Nominations may be mailed to him: 

C/O NCRC/IAATI
P.O. Box 557647
Chicago, IL 60655

Entries may also be emailed.

Entries should be submitted before April 1st for that year.