April 14, 2004

Todd D. Sigler captures Civil Service award

by Bonnie Marx

Sigler, from Carterville, will receive the award, which recognizes individuals who give above and beyond to the University and community, April 22 at an awards reception hosted by Chancellor Walter V. Wendler.

Although he admits to being a "transplanted suburbanite from the Chicago area," Sigler says, "In a sense, I was born at SIU."

Sigler began his law enforcement career in 1979 as a member of the Saluki Patrol during his student days. He joined the department full time in 1985 and except for a short stint elsewhere, he's been with the department ever since, working steadily through the ranks.

His 2003 promotion to captain places him as commander of two units: the patrol division and support services. As head of the patrol division, he supervises 34 officers and the entire Saluki Patrol program. Leading the support services means supervising the training program, the pressure point and control tactics program, the field training officer program and the disaster preparedness program. In addition, he is commander of the department's tactical response team, crisis management negotiators and explosive ordnance disposal unit.

Sigler will receive $2,000 from the SIU Foundation and his name will be on a plaque that hangs in the Student Center.

"It's very flattering," Sigler said, "but I look at it as something on behalf of all the Civil Service employees. I think about all the individuals who work with me across campus, whether it's a project, a program or day-to-day assignments. I have the chance to work with them all and it's those folks, those who work with me, who deserve this, because they are the ones who allow me to do this."

In a nominating letter, Deborah Cocke, disaster resource coordinator in the Department of Public Safety's Crime Prevention Unit, wrote that Sigler is "professional, considerate and knowledgeable, offers excellent guidance, asks the right questions, and takes time to help solve issues. He makes time every day to ensure every person under his watch is properly trained and has the right tools to complete their jobs. He is quick with encouragement and helps guide each employee to achieve his or her best."

Cocke pointed out Sigler's participation in numerous committees on and off campus, his implementation of many programs in the department, his professional memberships and achievements in law enforcement.

Sigler holds a bachelor's degree in administration of justice and a master's in public affairs from SIUC, and is currently a doctoral candidate at SIUC in educational administration and higher education.

Samuel L. Jordan, former director of the Department of Public Safety, spent 11 years working with Sigler. In his letter of nomination, he wrote, "I close with this statement from my heart; there is no one that I have ever met in my 30 years as a public or civil servant that is more deserving of being recognized as an outstanding civil servant than Todd D. Sigler. I am a better person due to having been associated and working with Todd, and there is no doubt in my mind that SIUC and the community are better as well."

Sigler and his wife, Patti, have two children, Jason and Austyn.

Giving special recognition to University employees who foster pride within their office or department and community involvement are among the goals of Southern@150, the blueprint for the development of the University by the time it celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019.