Awards: Regional Line Officer - Great Lakes

Thomas E. Gahl Award

“The United States Probation System honors Thomas E. Gahl who was killed in the line of duty on September 22, 1986. Tom was a fine and dedicated United States probation officer who had served the Southern District of Indiana with distinction since 1975. He was also our colleague and a friend.   His tragic death at 38 by the hands of a probationer whom he sought to help has caused great shock, sadness, and outrage throughout the Probation Service. Our focus is on Tom, the student who completed a bachelor of arts in sociology at Augustana College and was awarded a master of science in criminology from Indiana State University; the serviceman who attained the rank of first lieutenant as a tank commander during honorable service with the Marine Corps; the public servant who toiled as a welfare case worker and correctional officer intern before his appointment as a United States probation officer; and the good citizen who coached Little League and served as president of his church congregation. We should also be mindful of those Tom left behind since family was such a significant aspect of his life. Tom was a devoted husband to his wife, Nancy, who was part of his being for 12 years, and a loving father to his young sons, Christopher and Nicholas, whose lives will never be the same. Tom is also survived by his mother, Lois, and a brother, Robert. Only the death of Tom's father last month spared him the pain of this senseless tragedy.”  - News and Views, October 6, 1986
 

    1986    Thomas E. Gahl, SD/IN (Posthumously)
    1989    Gregory D. Lane, ND/IL
    1992    Frank Mayer, ND/IL
    1993    Terry D. Childers, ND/IL
    1994    Michael Bass, IL/N
    1996    William D. Crozier, IN/N
    1997    Robert A. Taylor, OH/S
    1999    Javondlynn Dunagan, IL/N
    2006    Anna Pakiela, MI/W
    2008    Frederic T. Robinson, WI/E