HOUSTON AREA ACFE CHAPTER |
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2024 Houston ACFE Award Winners
On December 10, 2024, during the Houston ACFE Chapter's Membership Appreciation event, the Chapter presented awards to professionals who have made notable impact to the Chapter, the community, and the profession in the past year.
Houston ACFE Fraud Impact Award
Recipients: Sergeant Mauro Alvarado and Constable Derek Martinez
Constable Derek Martinez and Sergeant Mauro Alvarado received the 2024 Fraud Impact Awards from the Houston ACF chapter. Constable Derek Martinez and Sergeant Mauro Alvarado are deputy constables with Precinct 4, Harris County Texas. In April 2024, Constable Derek Martinez responded to a call for help from a person who had her purse, wallet, and keys stolen from the cemetery, including the ID cards for herself and her deceased daughter, while she was visiting her deceased daughter’s grave. Rather than just take the report and file it away, Constable Martinez and Sergeant Alvarado undertook an investigation to locate, identify, and pursue prosecution for the individual responsible. Their investigation discovered that this individual was a member of an organized ring who was targeting victims in cemeteries, daycares, and churches where people were at their most vulnerable. It was discovered that this ring was responsible for a number of crimes in Harris and Montgomery counties. Because of their dedication, and dogged investigation, charges against the individuals involved were filed which included incarceration in state prison.
Left to Right: Sergeant Mauro Alvarado, HACFE President Gabriella Mackin, Constable Derrick Martinez, Daniel McGettrick
Houston ACFE Certified Fraud Examiner of the Year
Recipient: Daniel McGettrick
Daniel McGettrick, CFE, received the CFE of the Year for 2024 from the Houston ACFE Chapter. Daniel McGettrick is a fraud investigator with Farmers Insurance. As a field investigator, he has worked cases related to arson, medical fraud, identity theft, staged accidents, and many others. He has referred cases for prosecution and civil remediation for many years. Daniel covers the Houston area and surrounding counties. He is particularly successful in deterring and stopping medical-related insurance fraud, especially fake/falsified documentation and bills that are submitted for insurance claims. He has been working for Farmers Insurance for over 20 years.
Left to Right: HACFE President Gabriella Mackin, Daniel McGettrick
Houston ACFE Educator of the Year
Recipient: Sergeant Brucus Owdley
Sergeant Brucus Owdley of the Houston Police Department and Texas Southern University was awarded the Houston ACFE Educator of the Year of 2024. Sergeant Brucus Owdley is instrumental in training and teaching cybersecurity on the job with the Houston Police Department and also teaches classes to aspiring fraud fighters in cybersecurity at Texas Southern University.
Left to Right: Sergeant Brucus Owdley, HACFE President Gabriella Mackin
