“Neil is the founder of POPAI and should be recognized for this 40 years of professionalism in the growth of probation,” stated Tippecanoe County Probation Officer and POPAI Board Member Joe Hooker. The selection of Mr. Hannon was supported by many members in the field of probation and the Courts.
In his nomination letter, Judge Roger Bradford of the Porter County Superior Court 1stated, “I have always found Neil to be highly professional and hardworking” and has been “creative in establishing a variety of probation related programs over the years.” Judge Bradford further stated, “Neil has always been responsive to the wishes and needs of the judiciary and has been an excellent supervisor and mentor for probation officers.”
Steve Eyrick, Chief Probation Officer LaPorte County, remarked, “Neil’s reputation is known throughout the profession” and that Neil has been “actively involved in probation matters from the time we (probation officers) were brought under the Judicial Branch of Government and has helped shape probation as we know it in Indiana.” Mary Jane Walsworth, Chief Probation Officer Marshall County, stated, “Neil helped directly and indirectly influence hundreds of current and former probation officers throughout the U.S. and both the county and federal levels, either by employing them or enlightening them at training seminars.”
Steve Meyer, Assistant Chief Probation Officer, Porter County, stated, “Neil has come into the office every day with an incredible level of passion and dedication, mixed with humor, that has made all of us not only a better probation officer but better human beings.” John Thorstad Chief Probation Officer Starke County Mr. Thorstad reported, “Neil was not only a founding member of POPAI, he was on the exploratory committee of Chief Probation Officers who met in the early 1980’s and saw a need for greater input for the needs of probation at the state level. Neil has served as the President of the Indiana Correctional Association and as Chairman of the Probation Officer Advisory Committee. Neil has always said his greatest accomplishment is to see those he has hired and mentored go on to be Chief Probation Officers, Federal Probation Officers, Lawyers, etc.”