Line Officer of the Year - Federal Probation and Pretrial Officers Association

HomeLine Officer of the Year 2021

CENTRAL REGION

On May 18, 2022, U.S. Probation Officer C.J. Zimmerer of the District of Nebraska was presented with the Federal Probation and Pretrial Officers Association (FPPOA)'s 2021 Adolfo Sanchez Central Region Line Officer of the Year award. The award was presented in the Omaha Office in a joint ceremony with the 2020 Central Region Line Officer of the Year winner, Senior U.S. Probation Officer Erin Finigan, who had not been formally recognized for her achievements the year prior due to the pandemic. The District of Nebraska is on a two-year streak for housing the Central Region Line Officer of the Year.

GREAT LAKES REGION

The 2021 Line Officer of the Year for the Great Lakes Region has been awarded to the Pretrial Service Agency of the Eastern District of Michigan.

The years 2020 and 2021 were challenging for every community corrections agency in the world. Everyone had to learn how to function in a new normal. Our court closed in March of 2020 and everyone pivoted to full-time telework well into 2021. Pretrial Services for the Eastern District of Michigan banded together, supported each other, showed resilience, performed exceptional teamwork, and showed empathy for our each other and our clients. The administrative team, support staff and officers worked tirelessly together to ensure the mission of the court was met and the fair administration of justice prevailed, despite all the hardships faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over half of the staff caught COVID, and almost everyone had family members and loved ones pass during a very seclusive time in our history.

MID-ATLANTIC REGION

In May 2022, Senior Probation Officer Doug Smith (West Virginia Southern) was awarded the Federal Probation and Pretrial Officer Association’s (FPPOA) 2021 Mid-Atlantic Region Line Officer the Year Award and the 2021 National Line Officer of the Year Award. Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presented Doug with these distinguished awards during a small ceremony at the U.S. Court-house in Charleston, West Virginia.

NORTHEAST REGION

On May 16, 2022, the Federal Probation and Pretrial Officers Association (FPPOA) presented the 2021 Charles Lionel Chute Northeast Region Line Officer of the Year award in the District of Maine. U.S. Probation Officer ReEntry Specialist Laura Tait received the award in front of Judges, colleagues, and family. The award presentation was the first time a formal gathering of the District of Maine staff since COVID restrictions have loosened. The award was formally presented by Deputy Chief U.S. Probation Officer Michael Penders and FPPOA Northeast Region President Josh Rothman. Chief U.S. District Judge Jon D. Levy, Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Wood-cock, Jr., and U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen F. Wolf presided over the ceremony, which included the swearing in of five new officers in the district.

SOUTHEAST REGION

The 2021 Line Officer of the Year for the Southeast Region has been awarded to U.S. Probation Officer, Juan Nunez, of the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division.

WESTERN REGION

The 2021 Line Officer of the Year for the Western Region has been awarded to U.S. Probation Officer, Stephanie Hartz, of the District of Colorado.
Special Offender Specialist Stephanie Hartz was presented with the Federal Probation and Pretrial Officers Association (FPPOA) 2021 Charles Venz Western Region Line Officer of the Year award in Denver, CO by FPPOA Western Regional President Sharie Lutt. Also in attendance were dozens of Stephanie’s family members, both local and from out of state, peers, executive management, and the District of Colorado Chief Judge Phillip A. Brimmer.