Awards Program

This award was established in 2001 in memory of Roger D. Overton, a long-standing member of the Northeast Regional Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators who served as Secretary from 1976 through 1984 and President in 1990. Roger Overton started his career as a member of Royal Canadian Mounted Police and upon his retirement, joined the Canadian Automobile Theft Bureau as a special agent. Roger became an expert in the field of vehicle identification and testified as such in all levels of courts in Canada. He attained the position of Chief Special Agent, and retired in 1996. Roger, through his hard work and dedication to the Northeast Regional Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators, was awarded a life membership when he left the position of Secretary. Not content to sit on the sidelines, Roger served as a Director for two terms and was elected Third Vice President in 1987. He continued through the Vice Presidential positions culminating with his election to the office of President in 1990. Roger remained an active member of the association until his death on May 9, 2001. This award is intended to serve as a continuing testimonial to his exceptional devotion to the chapter, its members, and his dedicated service as a vehicle theft investigator, especially in the area of motor vehicle identification. The recipient (s) shall be selected based on the nominee’s outstanding efforts and work in the field of auto theft investigation, and motor vehicle identification. Nominations for the award may come from any person, either a member or non-member, and must be directed to the chair of the awards committee or the Executive Director of the Northeast Regional Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators.

This award was established in 1999 in memory of George J. Acker a charter member of the Northeast Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators who served as President in 1973, the second year of the Chapter’s existence. George Acker was a member of the New York State Police retiring in 1988. He remained an active member of the association until his death on November 3, 1997. The 1999 Northeast Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators Annual Training Seminar conducted in Saratoga Springs, New York was dedicated to George J. Acker. This award is intended to serve as a continual testimonial to his exceptional devotion to the chapter; its members, and his contributions to the field of vehicle theft and fraud investigation, especially in the area of motor vehicle records and documentation. The nominee(s) of this award shall be a current employee of a State, City, or Provincial Governmental Agency; including employees of a Motor Vehicle Department or Registry, within the area of the Northeast Regional Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators. The recipient (s) shall be selected for their outstanding efforts and work in the field of auto theft or fraud prevention, detection, or investigation, specifically in the area relating to documentation.

This award was established in 1986 and was originally known as the NE-IAATI Achievement Award. In 1994, its name was changed to the Anthony M. Kane Achievement Award in memory of Anthony M. Kane, a hard-working and well-loved member of the Northeast Chapter. After a long and distinguished career with the Philadelphia Police Department, Tony Kane joined the National Insurance Crime Bureau where he continued to serve the cause of vehicle theft and fraud investigation until his untimely death on September 10, 1994. In addition to being the Founder and President of the Pennsylvania Auto Crime Investigators Association and a Director of the Pennsylvania Anti-Car Theft Committee, Tony Kane also served as Director of Training for the Northeast Regional Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators. The Anthony M. Kane Achievement Award is intended to serve as a continual testimony to his exceptional contribution to the field of vehicle theft and fraud investigation. The recipient shall be selected based on the nominee’s outstanding achievement in the field of vehicle theft or fraud investigation or prevention. Nominations for the award may come from any person, either a member or non-member, and must be directed to the Chair of the Awards Committee of the Executive Director of the Northeast Regional Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators.

This award was established in 1987 in memory of John J. Scarisbrick, Jr. Director of Security, Avis Rent-A-Car System, Inc. As Director of Security, Avis Rent-A-Car System, Inc., John was a Charter and Life Member of the Northeast Regional Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators. John served as Treasurer of the Northeast Regional Chapter for many years and was actively involved in all aspects of the Association until his untimely death on July 19, 1987. This award is intended to serve as a continual testimony to his exceptional devotion to the Chapter. Recipient selection shall be selected based on the nominee’s extraordinary service to the Chapter, over a period of time above and beyond what is normally expected of a member. Nominees for the award must be members of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators. Nominations for the award may come from any person, either a member or non-member, and must be directed to the chair of the Awards Committee or the Executive Director of the Northeast Regional Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators.

This award was created in 1993 as a joint venture between the LoJack Corporation and the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators, the Northeast Chapter’s parent organization. The award was intended to honor law enforcement officers whose efforts, in conjunction with the use of any electronic tracking device, made the most significant impact on the recovery (s) of stolen vehicle (s). After the award was presented in 2005, the single award concept with presentation at the annual seminar of the parent organization was replaced with several annual awards being presented at the annual seminar of IAATI’s Branches and Chapters. Effective May 2006, a LoJack-IAATI award will be awarded at the annual training seminar of the Northeast Regional Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators. The award was established to recognize any law enforcement officer whose efforts, in conjunction with the use of any electronic tracking device, make the most significant impact on the recovery (s) of stolen vehicle (s). Nominees for the award must be a law enforcement officer. Nominations for the award may come from any person, either a member ot non-member, and must be directed to the chair of the awards committee of the Executive Director of the Northeast Regional Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators.