WEST LIBERTY, April 14, 2016 — West Liberty University is remembering its longtime police officer, Capt. Thomas Hostutler, 60, with a memorial scholarship, established in his name. The Thomas Hostutler Memorial Scholarship is designed to meet the educational needs of children of law enforcement officers.
Hostutler passed away suddenly at home on April 8, 2016, after serving West Liberty University for 38 years.
“West Liberty University is grateful for Tom’s many years of devoted service. Campus has lost a true friend and protector. We offer our sincere sympathy to his wife Pam and daughter Casey, his extended family and his brother officers in our Campus Police Department,” said Dr. Stephen Greiner, WLU president.
“I have known Tom since he was hired at West Liberty in 1978,” said Patrolman Mel Cunningham of Campus Police, who formerly served and retired from the Ohio County Sheriff Department. “He did much more than people know. He loved West Liberty and did what he could to promote WLU. He was a kind, unselfish man and enjoyed working with the students. No one had a bigger heart.”
West Liberty University was ranked first in the state of West Virginia for Campus Safety according to Campus Safety rankings in 2012 and Hostutler worked tirelessly to ensure safety on campus.
In 2013, Hostutler was a recipient of the Northern Regional Highway Safety Advocate Award for support above and beyond in promoting highway safety.
He was instrumental in bring A.L.I.C.E. Training to Ohio and Marshall Counties. He conducted numerous in-service trainings for area law enforcement officers, safety forces and dispatchers at West Liberty University and the Highlands Center. He trained constantly and remained vigilant as campus security issues dramatically changed over the course of his career.
He also supervised Criminal Justice student interns and was a member of West Liberty University Behavior Intervention Team and worked with the Sexual Assault Coordinator. He helped in many ways with everything from Homecoming to meetings. He coordinated the Annual West Liberty’s Spring Annual Health Fair, which coincidentally is held today, April 14, the day of his funeral.
He was a member of Marshall County Fraternal Order of Police, West Virginia Chiefs of Police, National Chiefs of Police, the NRA, and the Marshall County Gun Club.
He had a real sense of humor that many campus employees will miss since he was known for his practical jokes.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Pamela and his daughter, Casey, a WLU student.
Memorial contributions may be made to the West Liberty University Foundation, which manages the Thomas Hostutler Memorial Scholarship, 304-336-5635.
For more information on Capt. Hostutler, please visit his online obituary on the Kepner Funeral Home site.
—