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National Missing Children's Day

2020 Award Recipients

Each year, the U.S. Department of Justice, through OJJDP, recognizes individuals, organizations, and agencies that have made a difference in recovering missing and abducted children and protecting children from exploitation. 

This year, the Department of Justice and OJJDP honored 10 individuals through the 2020 Missing Children's Day awards. Read more about each awardee and their extraordinary efforts to protect children. 

 

Attorney General's Special Commendation

This commendation recognizes the extraordinary efforts and significant program contributions of an Internet Crimes Against Children task force or affiliate agency, or an individual assigned to either. 

Read the press release to learn more about the award recipients.

Attorney General's Special Commendation award recipient: Criminal Investigation Director Matthew Joy.

Criminal Investigation Director Matthew Joy

Attorney General’s Special Commendation Recipient: Special Agent in Charge Jesse Crowe, Supervisor of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for the Western District of Wisconsin

Special Agent in Charge Jesse Crowe

Missing Children's Citizen Award

This award honors the extraordinary efforts of private citizens for their unselfish acts to recover missing or abducted children safely. 

Read the press release to learn more about the award recipient.

Missing Children’s Citizen Award recipient: Ms. Jo-Ann Donovan of Punta Gorda, Florida.

Ms. JoAnn Donovan

Missing Children's Law Enforcement Award

This award recognizes the extraordinary efforts of law enforcement officers who have made a significant investigative or program contribution to the safety of children.

Read the press release to learn more about the award recipient.

Missing Children's Law Enforcement Award recipient: Gerald Dysart, Deputy U.S. Marshal. New Orleans, Louisiana

Deputy U.S. Marshal Gerald Dysart

Missing Children's Child Protection Award

This award honors the extraordinary efforts of law enforcement officers who have made a significant investigative or program contribution on behalf of missing, abused or victimized children. 

Read the press release to learn more about the award recipients.

Missing Children’s Child Protection Award Recipient: Detective Chastity Burke. Child Exploitation Unit at the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Detective Chastity Burke

Missing Children’s Child Protection Award Recipient: Detective Dennis Miller. Child Exploitation Unit at the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Detective Dennis Miller

Missing Children’s Child Protection Award Recipient: Detective Keith Earney. Child Exploitation Unit at the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Detective Keith Earney

Missing Children’s Child Protection Award Recipient: Detective Jason Turner. Child Exploitation Unit at the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Detective Jason Turner

Missing Children’s Child Protection Award Recipient: Detective Ruben Escobar. Child Exploitation Unit at the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Detective Ruben Escobar

Missing Children’s Child Protection Award Recipient: Detective Eugene Mefford. Child Exploitation Unit at the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Detective Eugene Mefford

All photos courtesy of awardees.