Left - IAATI Past President Denny Roske presenting the Raymond H. Dreher Memorial Award to recipient Tommy Hansen (right)

The Raymond W. Dreher Award, created in 1984, is presented in memory of the late Lt. Ray Dreher of the Missouri Highway Patrol, and IAATI’s 16th President. While not necessarily a yearly award, this is given as recognition for IAATI’s most active and dedicated members who have distinguished themselves by service to the Association. It is only awarded to those giving of themselves far and above what is expected and required of membership. There are no other requirements for the award, except hard work and dedication to IAATI.

This year’s recipient is Tommy Hansen, a Lt. with the Galveston Co., Texas Sheriff’s Offi ce. He has been with the sheriff’s offi ce since 1973. Tommy has been a member of IAATI since 1981, and served as our President during the 2006 – 2007 year. He has either been the chair or a member of just about every committee within IAATI, and has exemplifi ed the meaning of “getting involved”.

Tommy is also very active in his home state of Texas, where he is heavily involved with the Texas Auto Vehicle Theft Investigators and the Texas Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority. He was instrumental in the formulation of the recently adopted National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, which has become a mainstay for anyone involved in the investigation of vehicle theft or fraud. Tommy has also instructed motor vehicle theft classes in various parts of the country for many years.

Tommy is not just involved with vehicle theft causes. He is involved with the Ronald McDonald House of Galveston and the Children’s Advocacy Center in Galveston. But, his real love is “Beat the Heat” an international law enforcement youth education program. With this organization, Tommy drives a race car for the Tropical Impression Racing Team on 1/4 mile drag strips throughout the country.

Most recently Tommy has been the chair of the Site Selection Committee for our annual Seminar. He has been a key in formulating and bringing the 2012 Seminar to the Kansas City area. Tommy spent a lot of his own personal time on this Seminar project. His dedication to IAATI, the painstaking efforts he has put forth in all he has attempted, makes him a proud member of this Association and deserving of this award. The Dreher Award Committee thanks Tommy Hansen for his service and dedication, and congratulates him on being the recipient of this award.