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 45 years ago, 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 is the highest honor that the Council can bestow. It is given 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.”
2023 John J. Duffy Memorial Achievement Award Recipient
Jerry Desmond, Esq.
This year the Council is pleased to present the Duffy Award to Jerry Desmond, Esq., from Desmond & Desmond LLC Law Firm in Sacramento, California. Jerry is a legislative advocate with an in-depth knowledge of our profession and objectives. Jerry has served as CALI's Legislative Advocate since the 1990's.
Past Recipents of the John J. Duffy Memorial Achievement Award:
(2022) Andrea Orozco - Castle Rock, Colorado, past President of NCISS and Region 5 Director.
(2020) Sen. Chuck Grassley – New Hartford, Iowa, US Senator (IA), president pro tem of the US Senate
(2019) John Talaganis - Long Beach, California, past President of NCISS and Parliamentarian
(2018) Agents David Bailey and Crystal Griner - Washington DC Capitol Police
(2017) Dean A. Beers – Greeley, Colorado, past President of NCISS
(2016) Robert Perry - Robert H. Perry & Associates, Inc. of Greensboro, NC.
(2014) Francie Koehler - Oakland, California, past President and Legislative Committee Chair - Investigations
(2013) Maria Vinson Landry - Lacombe, LA, past President of NCISS
(2012) The Molly Bish Foundation
(2011) Roy C. Bucklin - Wheeling, Illinois, past President of NCISS and webmaster
(2010) Officer Joseph E. Cistaro, Command Sergeant Major in the Illinois Army National Guard who has seen
Afghanistan combat and whose military awards include the Bronze Star. Officer Cistaro epitomizes our brave
men and women who serve and protect us at home and abroad.
(2009) Jim Carino Jr. - Executive Security Consultants, Gladwyne, PA, 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, Vice President of Sellery Associates, NCISS 'Lobbying firm in Washington D.C.
(2000) Michael Duffy - Davenport Iowa, past President of NCISS
(1999) Rick Massimei, Chairman of the 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 City, past President of NCISS
(1995) Harry Rakosky, vacationing security director who tackled and disarmed an attacker who was machine gunning 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