Donald “Charley” Knepple Scholarship

The Probation Officers Professional Association of Indiana provides a scholarship in memory of Donald “Charley” Knepple. Charley lost his life on April 28, 1997, while performing his probation officer duties in Allen County, Indiana. In an effort to honor an outstanding professional and to promote further professionalism, POPAI selected a scholarship that would encourage continued education and advanced degrees for probation in Indiana.

The qualified candidate chosen for the Scholarship Award will receive $2,500.00 to help pay for their costs in continuing his or her education pursuing a Masters / Doctorate Degree. See the application for more requirements.

2023 Knepple Scholarship Winner: Sandra Bryan

Sandra Bryan, 2023 Knepple Scholarship Winner

The 2023 Donald “Charley” Knepple Scholarship winner is Sandra Bryan, Deputy Chief Probation Officer for Marion County Superior Court.

Sandra has a been a probation officer for 27 years and a member of POPAI for most of those years. She is a current member of POPAI, APPA, NAPE, ACA and serves on the Marion County Community Corrections Advisory Board. She is pursuing a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Indiana Wesleyan University and currently maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

Melanie Pitstick from Marion Superior Court stated this about Sandra, “She believes in treating everyone with dignity and respect while experiencing an often-times difficult situation. Her leadership was evident through the Covid pandemic by working tirelessly to adjust and navigate challenging situations while managing staff who supervise 8,000 people on probation. As her colleague, I am confident that she will continue to utilize her degree through creative and innovative concepts in probation for the largest county in Indiana.”

Christine Kerl, Marion County Chief Probation Officer, stated this “I have personally witnessed her commitment and dedication to the profession. Sandra continually seeks ways to improve operations and has made an impact in all that she does. Her drive to develop others to be their best and to lead others was paramount in her decision to advance her education.”

Sandra stated, “Earning my master’s degree in HRM has already assisted me in my career. I have been able to apply the knowledge and skills I am gaining to effectively contribute to strategic decision-making in my organization. I have already been a part of developing our new employee appraisal process to implement growth and development plans, along with revising our hiring and training practices to improve retention.

Sandra becomes the 4th Officer from Marion Superior Court to earn the Donald “Charley” Knepple Scholarship.

Congratulations Sandy!

Knepple Scholarship Recipients

2023 Sandra Bryan, Marion Superior Court

2022 Brandi Glenn, Perry County Circuit Court Probation Department

2021 Sarah Lochner, Wabash County and Alexis Stogdill, Monroe County Circuit Court

2020 Patrick Hillenburg, Greene County Probation

2019 Elizabeth Darenski, LaPorte County Adult Probation

2018 Naara Olivero, Lake County Juvenile Probation

2017 Rachael A. Scott, Monroe County Circuit Court Probation Department

2016 Parker Stouffer, Wabash County Probation Department

2015 Patrick O’Neill, Marion Superior Court

2014 Ryan Hull, Noble County Probation

2013 Cara Gilmore, Knox County Probation Department

2012 Shashan DeYoung, Marion Superior Court

2011 Stephen Pastore, Wells County Circuit and Superior Courts

2010 Brian Guerre, Porter County Probation

2009 CJ Miller, Hamilton County

2008 Sherry Porter, Bartholomew County

2007 Danielle Gibbs, Johnson County

2006 Jeff Yoder, Allen County

2005 DeJuan Jordan, Allen County Adult Probation Department

2004 Janice A. Wade, Vanderburg Probation

2003 Terri L. Bodine, Shelby County Probation

2002 Christine Kerl, Marion Superior Court

2001 Lisa Swedarsky, St. Joseph County

2000 Ross Carothers, U.S. Probation

1999 Kimberly Zakutansky, Lake County Juvenile Probation

1998 Brian Armstrong, LaPorte County Adult Probation