HomeJohn J. Duffy Memorial Achievement Award

John J. Duffy Memorial Achievement Award

The John J. Duffy Memorial Achievement Award is named in honor of the first president of the National Council of Investigation and Security Services, John Duffy, of Davenport, Iowa.

Among a number of other industry leaders who had the foresight to form NCISS in 1976, it was the energy, dedication, and personality of the late John Duffy that got it off the ground. Mr. Duffy was like a father figure to many members of the profession.

The Duffy Award is the highest honor bestowed by NCISS. It is awarded to members of NCISS, and in alternate years, to non-members or organizations who, as the inscription says, “have by specific deeds and accomplishments, exhibited the highest standards of conduct and service to the investigation and security services industry.”

2025 John J. Duffy Memorial Achievement Award Recipient

XXX

Past Recipients of the John J. Duffy Memorial Achievement Award:

2024: Jim Zimmer (Awarded Posthumously)
2023: Jerry Desmond, Esq. - Desmond & Desmond LLC Law Firm, Sacramento, California
2022: Andrea Orozco - Castle Rock, Colorado, Past President and Regional Director of NCISS
2020: Sen. Chuck Grassley - New Hartford, Iowa, U.S. Senator (IA), president pro tem of the U.S. Senate
2019: John Talaganis - Long Beach, California, Past President of NCISS and Parliamentarian
2018: Agents David Bailey and Crystal Griner - Washington, D.C. Capitol Police
2017: Dean A. Beers - Greeley, Colorado, Past President of NCISS
2016: Robert Perry - Robert H. Perry & Associates, Inc., Greensboro, North Carolina
2014: Francie Koehler - Oakland, California, Past President of NCISS
2013: Maria Vinson Landry - Lacombe, Louisiana, Past President of NCISS
2012: The Molly Bish Foundation
2011: Roy C. Bucklin - Wheeling, Illinois, Past President of NCISS
2010: Officer Joseph E. Cistaro, Command Sergeant Major in the Illinois Army National Guard
2009: Jim Carino, Jr. - Executive Security Consultants, Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, Founder of Intellenet
2008: Detective Thomas G. McHale, Jr. - Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department
2007: PI Magazine - Freehold, New Jersey
2006: Brian P. McGuinness - Coral Gables, Florida, Past President of NCISS
2005: U.S. Representative Pete Sessions, Dallas, Texas
2004: Robert A. Heales - Mindsprings, Minnesota, Past President of NCISS
2003: Bruce Brownyard - Brownyard Programs, Ltd.
2002: Kenneth Romine - Columbus, Ohio, Past President of NCISS
2001: Lawrence Sabbath - VP of Sellery Associates, NCISS' Government Affairs firm in Washington D.C.
2000: Michael Duffy - Davenport Iowa, Past President of NCISS
1999: Rick Massimei - Chairman, Private Security Council of ASIS and Vice Chair of NASCO
1998: Gary Kuty - Columbus, Ohio, Past President of NCISS
1997: Los Angeles Police Department, Threat Management Unit
1996: Bruce Hulme - New York, New York, Past President of NCISS
1995: Harry Rakosky, vacationing security director who disarmed an attacker who shot at the White House
1994: Ralph Day - Jackson, Mississippi, Past President of NCISS
1993: Robert McCrie - New York, Editor of Security Letter
1992: Vincent Ruffolo - Chicago, Illinois, Past President of NCISS, perennial chair Security Companies Organized for Legislative Action (SCOLA)
1991: Charles E. Dennis - Severna Park, Maryland, Past President NCISS
1990: William Salud, Editor, accepted for the magazine SECURITY
1989: Eddy McClain - Fallbrook, California, Past President of NCISS
1988: Edward del Pino, off-duty security officer and hero of the Staten Island ferry massacre who disarmed a sword-wielding attacker
1987: Bert Hinds - Cincinnati, Ohio, Past President of NCISS
1986: The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
1985: Joe Duncan - Nashville, Tennessee, NCISS first Chairperson