Benjamin Campbell (Posthumous)
Class of 2011
Benjamin James Campbell, born on April 8, 1987, grew up in Easthampton, Massachusetts. He graduated from Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School in Northampton and pursued degrees in criminal justice at both Holyoke Community College and Westfield State University. In 2012, Campbell joined the Maine State Police, serving as a trooper in Penobscot County for 6½ years.
Campbell was known for his outstanding contributions both on and off the field. As a former standout baseball player, he led his team to victory in the Eastern Regional Tournament in 2001. He also continued his success at Westfield State, holding the season hits record and helping the team reach the NCAA Tournament.
In his role as Detective Ben Campbell with the Maine State Police, he demonstrated exemplary dedication and professionalism. From his training in the Basic Law Enforcement Program to his promotion as a licensed polygraph examiner, Campbell was known for his helpfulness, care, and approachability within the community. He also contributed significantly as an instructor for various training programs, including Emergency Vehicle Operation and Control (EVOC) and interview and interrogation techniques.
Campbell's commitment to public service and his impact as a dedicated member of the Maine State Police will be remembered with deep gratitude and respect.
David Campbell
Class of 1984
David Campbell retired from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in 2018 after a distinguished serving in law enforcement for 31 years. Beginning with the Clinton Police Department in 1987, he served as a patrolman before transitioning to the United States Marshals Service in 1995. Campbell then joined ATF in 1999, specializing in investigations of federal firearms violations.
During his ATF tenure, Campbell's roles expanded to include membership in ATF's Special Response Team, where he led high-risk operations nationwide. He also served as an instructor, sharing his expertise in firearms, arrest tactics, and tactical operations with law enforcement agencies.
Throughout his career, Campbell received numerous commendations for his contributions to successful investigations and training programs, including involvement in high-profile cases like the DC Sniper investigation, post-Hurricane Katrina efforts in New Orleans, and the Boston Marathon Bomber investigation.
In addition to his law enforcement career, Campbell earned an MBA from Anna Maria College in 1998. Since retirement, he has enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling, and staying active in sports like golf, softball, cycling, and powerlifting.
Campbell credits much of his success to the support of his wife, Colleen, and their children, Caitlin and Patrick. He also acknowledges the role of Westfield State in providing him with a solid education and lifelong friendships.
With a wealth of experience and a commitment to excellence, David Campbell continues to be a respected figure in law enforcement circles. His dedication to service, coupled with his leadership skills and expertise, has left an indelible mark on the field of criminal justice.
Cheryl Clapprood
Class of 1992
Cheryl Clapprood, Springfield's Police Superintendent, boasts over 40 years of dedicated service to the city. Initially appointed Acting Commissioner by Mayor Domenic J. Sarno in February 2019, she earned the permanent position in September of the same year, later being sworn in during a ceremony at Symphony Hall in October 2019. Her title transitioned to Superintendent in 2022.
Commencing her law enforcement journey as a Springfield Police Cadet in April 1979, Clapprood officially became a sworn officer after completing the Police Academy in October 1981. Throughout her career, she steadily climbed the ranks, earning promotions to Sergeant in September 1987, Lieutenant eleven years later, and eventually Deputy Chief in July 2017.
Clapprood's academic credentials include a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Western New England College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Westfield State College, and an Associate Degree in Law Enforcement from Springfield Technical Community College. She also served as an adjunct professor at Western New England College from 2000 to 2009.
Before her tenure with the Springfield Police Department, Clapprood served in the United States Air Force from 1978 to 1984. Throughout her career, she has undertaken diverse roles, including undercover narcotics officer, Special Victims Unit supervisor, and street supervisor.
Beyond her professional duties, Clapprood's community impact extends through her volunteerism and mentoring. She founded the Springfield Police Youth Athletic Association in 1994, coached numerous teams, and oversees the Stephen O’Brien Memorial Learn to Skate program.
Proudly hailing from Springfield, Clapprood holds the esteemed position of Superintendent of the Springfield Police Department, marking a significant milestone as the city's first female Superintendent
John Kotfila Jr. (Posthumous)
Class of 2008
Deputy Sheriff John Robert Kotfila Jr. dedicated six years of service to the Hillsborough County Florida Sheriff’s Department, operating out of District 5. He played a pivotal role in the Accident Investigation Unit and was instrumental in establishing the agency’s Safety Net program. This initiative utilized helicopters equipped with GPS locators to locate missing elderly patients and children with disabilities.
A standout achiever from an early age, Kotfila was named Student of the Year at Lawrence Junior High School in Falmouth, Massachusetts, in 1999. He graduated from Falmouth High School in 2003 before earning his bachelor's degree in science from Westfield State University. During his time at Westfield State, he also worked at the Westfield State Public Safety Unit.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Kotfila was an avid enthusiast of mountain biking, triathlons, Tough Mudders, and spent cherished moments with his loyal German Shepherd, Dexter.
On March 12, 2016, Kotfila protected innocent lives while traveling on the Selmon Expressway in Tampa, Florida, from a wrong-way drunk driver. His heroic act resulted in the ultimate sacrifice, and resulted in the saving of two civilians. His valorous actions are commemorated on several esteemed memorial walls, including the Law Enforcement Memorial Wall in Washington DC, the Police Hall of Fame in Titusville, Florida, and the Florida Sheriff’s Association Wall.
Kotfila hailed from a family deeply rooted in law enforcement. His father serves as a Sergeant in the Massachusetts State Police, his maternal grandfather was a Lieutenant in the same force, and his paternal grandfather served as a Holyoke Police Officer. Moreover, Kotfila's siblings, uncle, and cousin all followed the path of law enforcement, with his sister Katelyn Grace Kotfila joining the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department in 2017, eventually earning a promotion to Corporal in 2024.
Kenneth O'Connor
Class of 1987
Kenneth M. O'Connor Jr. dedicated 37 years to serving the Massachusetts Trial Court, demonstrating unwavering commitment and leadership across various roles. His journey began as a Probate Court Officer, steadily advancing to the position of Chief Court Officer in 1994, a role he held until 2014. Subsequently, O'Connor assumed the role of Regional Assistant Director of Security for the four Western Counties of Courts until his retirement in 2016.
Throughout his tenure, O'Connor undertook numerous initiatives to enhance security and community engagement within the Trial Court system. He established the Trial Court Honor Guard, representing Western Massachusetts, and secured participation in the City's Emergency Notification System from Springfield. Additionally, O'Connor pioneered a tactical team to address detainee conflicts and collaborated closely with law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities on security matters.
Beyond his security responsibilities, O'Connor actively engaged with local schools, offering courthouse tours and speaking at college career days. He served on committees addressing substance abuse and gang-related issues and played a vital role in training new recruits at the Court Officer Academy.
O'Connor's exemplary leadership during the 2011 Springfield tornado garnered recognition and an award for overseeing the response efforts of his Court officers. In May 2018, he was honored with the prestigious John M. Greaney Award for his significant contributions to the Hampden County Legal Community.
Married to Anne for forty-three years, O'Connor credits his family's unwavering support as the cornerstone of his success. He cherishes his three children, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren, acknowledging their encouragement throughout his distinguished career.
Jeffrey Trask
Class of 2002
Jeffrey Trask is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse background in criminal justice, emergency management, and insurance risk management. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Westfield State University in 2022, he went on to earn a Master of Science in Management from The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C.
Since 2018, Trask has served as the Head of Business Continuity, Emergency Management, and Insurance Risk Management at ISO New England, where he has played a pivotal role in developing and implementing policies to enhance management and emergency notification systems.
Prior to his current role, Trask spent three years as the Senior Director in the Office of Enterprise Resilience and Global Operations at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. There, he established the MassMutual Global Operations Center, receiving the 2016 Winners Circle Award for his contributions in improving major IT outages.
Trask's career also encompasses law enforcement experience, including roles as a Correctional Officer, Instructor for the Municipal Police Training Council, and Deputy Sheriff in various Massachusetts municipalities.
Certified by both the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University in crisis leadership and emergency management, Trask has demonstrated his expertise in leading teams and divisions across multiple cities in Western Massachusetts, including Ludlow, Agawam, Chicopee, Framingham, Cambridge, Springfield, and Holyoke.
Throughout his illustrious career, Trask has shown unwavering dedication to planning and managing emergency situations, implementing safety-enhancing policies, and fostering collaborative business partnerships. His wealth of experience and commitment to excellence make him a respected leader in his field.
Dr. Kimberly Tobin
Distinguished Service
Dr. Kimberly Tobin has been a dedicated member of Westfield State University (WSU) since 1998, initially serving as a faculty member in the criminal justice department before transitioning to administrative roles. She also served as the Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education and later as the Interim Vice President of Administration and Finance until December 2016. Returning to a faculty position in January 2017, Dr. Tobin teaches in the criminal justice and Master of Public Administration programs, specializing in areas like diversity in criminal justice, applied ethics, juvenile delinquency, group process, and criminological theory and methods.
With numerous published works, including a co-authored work that received the Michael J. Hindelang Outstanding Book Award, Dr. Tobin is highly regarded in her field. She teaches courses on criminal justice planning, comparative criminal justice, and public policy analysis, maintaining a strong commitment to student success as a teacher, advisor, and mentor in various programs.
Beyond academia, Dr. Tobin actively engages in public service, serving on departmental, university, and community committees and boards. She provides research support for community-based grants and offers planning and grant support to her local municipal government. In her personal life, Dr. Tobin enjoys spending time with her husband, engaging in activities like gardening, cooking, homesteading, reading, traveling, and visiting family.