Distinguished Alumni
Michael Devine
Awarded 2012
A special agent with the Naval Criminal Investigation Service, Michael Devine has a career straight out of the television program named for the federal law enforcement agency that is charged with investigating felony cases in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
Devine earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in criminal justice from SHSU in 1984 and 1988, respectively, and his bachelor’s degree from Westfield State College in 1982.
Commissioned in 1984, Devine currently holds the rank of captain and serves as the deputy chief staff officer for inspections for the information dominance corps southwest region in San Diego. He has served as a member of the United States Navy Reserve and has concurrently served as a special agent with NCIS since 1989.
Devine’s career has been like an ongoing episode of NCIS, with his first 10 years spent investigating murders, rapes, child abuse and narcotic cases in the criminal investigation division. For the past 14 years, he has been assigned to the foreign counterintelligence division, where his primary duties include investigation of espionage and illegal sales of restricted technology. The NCIS has three main divisions: criminal investigation, foreign counter intelligence and fraud.
One of his most well known cases was that of “Bedroom Basher,” a home-invading serial rapist and murderer who confessed to killing seven women and an unborn child in Orange County, Calif. This investigation, worked jointly with the Tustin and Costa Mesa police departments, resulted in the suspect receiving the death penalty.
For his work, Devine has been nominated three times as NCIS “Special Agent of the Year.” He also has received accolades for a recent joint investigation involving the sale of equipment to test nuclear weapons to China.
Devine’s other military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (3), the Navy Commendation Medal (2), the Navy Achievement Medal, the National Defense Medal (2), The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (2), the Overseas Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Navy Rifle expert Marksmanship Medal, and the Navy Pistol Expert Marksmanship Medal.
Devine has taught new agent classes for the FBI in Los Angeles and served as adjunct faculty at Chapman University in Orange County. An Eagle Scout himself, Devine serves as co-scoutmaster for Troop 507 in La Canada, Calif., and is on the board of directors for the La Canada Spartan Boosters, a group that sponsors extracurricular activities for La Canada High School.
He currently resides in Glendale, Calif., with his wife, Linda, and his children, Austin and Rachel.