Menu
Log in


KANSAS COUNTY & DISTRICT

ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATION

Log in

KCDAa awards program

KCDAA awards recognize individuals who make a positive impact on prosecution in our state. Awards may be presented during the KCDAA annual meeting each year.  

Please take time to nominate a member of the KCDAA who you believe to be deserving of an award. This is the opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of the hard-working prosecutors who make up the membership of the KCDAA as well a policymaker, outside the organization, who has helped with interests of the KCDAA.

FOUR categories of awards will be presented: The Prosecutor of the Year, the Lifetime Achievement Award, Associate Member Prosecutor of the Year, and Policymaker of the Year. The awards winners are chosen by the KCDAA Board of Directors.

Award Qualifications:

  • The Prosecutor of the Year Award is presented to a prosecutor for outstanding prosecution of a case or cases throughout the year. Nominations may be made by either the prosecutor himself/herself or by a colleague. The nominee must be a regular member of the KCDAA.
  • The Associate Member Prosecutor of the Year Award is presented to a prosecutor for outstanding prosecution of a case or cases throughout the year from an office other than a County or District Attorney’s office. Nominations may be made by either the prosecutor himself/herself or by a colleague. The nominee must be an associate member of the KCDAA.
  • The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a regular KCDAA member for his/her longevity as a prosecutor. The nominee must have served no less than 25 years in a prosecutor position, and not previously received this award. Nominations may be made by either the prosecutor himself/herself or by a colleague.
  • The Policymaker of the Year Award is presented to an individual who is determined to have made the most significant impact on policy related to county and district attorneys either during the past year or over an extended career of public service. One award is presented each year. The award is open to individuals having public policy making authority as evidenced by legislative support of the KCDAA.

Feel free to nominate yourself, or a colleague.

All nominations are due by September 1, 2025 using the link below.

Questions or concerns? E-mail: stacey@kearneyandassociates.com




Past KCDAA Winners

Note: All awards may not be presented every year.

2024

  • Prosecutor of the Year: Kendall Kaut
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Victor J. Braden

2023

  • Prosecutor of the Year: Bethany Fields
  • Associate Member Prosecutor of the Year: Eve Kemple
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: David Melton
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Tamara Hicks
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Karen Wittman
  • Policymaker of the Year: Senator Kellie Warren

2022

  • Prosecutor of the Year: Katy Munch Britton
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Dave Lowden

2021

  • Prosecutor of the Year Award: Alice Osborn
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Margaret McIntire
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Dan Dunbar
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Randall Hubert
  • Policymaker of the Year Award: Fred Patton

2019

  • Prosecutor of the Year Award: Brett Watson
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Thomas Stanton
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Barry Disney

2018

  • Prosecutor of the Year Award: Marc Bennett 
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Tom Weilert

2017

  • Prosecutor of the Year Award: Jennifer Tatum
  • Associate Member Prosecutor of the Year Award: Jessica Domme
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Amy McGowan
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Steven L. Opat

2016

  • Prosecutor of the Year: Vanessa Riebli
  • Associate Member Prosecutor of the Year: Vic Braden
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Kim T. Parker
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: John Settle
  • Policymaker of the Year: Rep. Blaine Finch
2015
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Ann Swegle
  • Prosecutor of the Year: Barry Wilkerson
  • Policymaker of the Year: Patrick Vogelsberg

2014

  • Prosecutor of the Year Award: Christina Trocheck
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Jerome Gorman

2013

  • Prosecutor of the Year Award: Don Scott
  • Associate Member Prosecutor of the Year Award: Natalie Chalmers
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Sally Salguero
  • Policymaker of the Year Award: KS Attorney General Derek Schmidt
  • Policymaker of the Year Award: Senator Jeff King
  • Policymaker of the Year Award: Lance Kinzer

2012

  • Prosecutor of the Year Award: Trinity Muth
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Nola Tedesco Foulston

2011

  • Prosecutor of the Year: Gerald Kuckelman
  • Associate Member Prosecutor of the Year: Amy Hanley
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Paul Theroff
  • Policymaker of the Year: Pat Colloton

2010

  • Prosecutor of the Year: Jan Satterfield
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Steve Obermeier

2009

  • Prosecutor of the Year: Keith Schroeder
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Dennis Jones

2008

  • Prosecutor of the Year: CJ Rieg
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Dave Debenham

2007

  • Prosecutor of the Year: Ron W. Paschal
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Paul J. Morrison

2006

  • Prosecutor of the Year: Stephen Maxwell
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Mike Jennings

2005

  • Prosecutor of the Year: Tom Stanton
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Nick Tomasic
Copyright ©  KCDAA
1200 SW 10th Ave • Topeka KS 66604 • (785) 232-5822
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software