Wall of Fame

2024 Inductees

We are proud to recognize these alumni who have impacted our community locally, regionally and nationally.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI

Denise Almeida-Pomponio

Judge Denise Almeida-Pomponio, a proud Tampa native, graduated from Jefferson High School, Hillsborough Community College, and the University of South Florida with a degree in Criminology in 1979. She went on to earn her law degree from South Texas College of Law in 1982.

After returning to Tampa, Denise launched her legal career as an Assistant State Attorney, where she specialized in prosecuting arson and explosives cases, as well as overseeing a felony domestic violence unit. She also served as an ATF instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, and at the State of Florida Fire College in Ocala.

In 1999, Governor Jeb Bush appointed Denise as a County Judge, and in 2023, she was promoted to Circuit Judge. Over her 24 years on the bench, she has dedicated nearly 20 years to various criminal divisions, including Domestic Violence, Juvenile Delinquency, Circuit Criminal, and Drug Court.

Denise is married to retired Tampa Police Sergeant Peter Pomponio, a fellow USF Criminology graduate from 1980. They have a daughter, Lauren, and two granddaughters, Tori and Bella. Denise is an avid sports fan, especially of Rays baseball, and she enjoys spending time boating.
 

OUTSTANDING AMBASSADOR

Xavier Burch

Dr. Xavier D. Burch, a native of Durham, North Carolina, is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at his alma mater, Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. He began the USF Criminology Ph.D. program in 2018 after earning an M.A. in Criminology from the University of South Florida and a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Bethune-Cookman University.

Dr. Burch is dedicated to bringing awareness to the lack of diversity in the political realm through his research, which focuses on the correlation between politics and crime, as well as crimes committed by those in power.

 

HAWKINS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AWARD

Lee Bercaw & the Tampa Police Department 

Chief of Police Lee Bercaw joined the Tampa Police Department in 1997 and has since served in all three districts. Known for his proactive crime reduction initiatives and effective management of large-scale events, he has overseen security and transportation for major events such as the Super Bowl, Republican National Convention, International Indian Film Academy (Bollywood) awards, Gasparilla, and the College Football National Championship. He has been instrumental in devising quality-of-life improvements and crime reduction strategies for the city.

Chief Bercaw holds a Doctorate in Criminal Justice from St. Leo University, a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from the University of South Florida (USF). In 2016, he was honored by the Department of Criminology by being named to their Wall of Fame as an Outstanding Criminology Ambassador. Chief Bercaw is also a board member of the Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Education and Research Foundation.

The Tampa Police Department and USF Department of Criminology have a longstanding relationship. They have collaborated on numerous research projects over the years, enhancing the intersection of academic research and practical law enforcement.