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Michael L. Hummel, Ph.D., 67, of Coal Center, passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. A son of the late Joseph and Helen Meyer Hummel, he was born in Moundsville, WV on November 12, 1956. Michael was a tenured and full-ranked Senior Professor of Criminal Justice and Security Studies at Penn Western University in Pennsylvania (California Campus). Mike was also a certified police officer in the state of Pennsylvania and served (part-time) as an active-duty patrol officer at the Charleroi Regional Police Department and Monessen Police Department. Dr. Hummel is also a retired military officer with 22 years of service in various leadership positions to include Commander of a law enforcement company (HQ) and Special Reaction Team Commander at 101st Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, Infantry Scout Platoon Leader, and numerous special security/combat operations. He also served with the 2/75 Ranger Unit at Ft. Lewis, WA as a team leader and squad leader. He has combat service with the 2/75 Rangers and the 101st Airborne Division and has conducted real-world policing operations as a military police officer and as a municipal police officer in Pennsylvania. Mike worked in both the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy in law enforcement and security roles. He served as the Director of Performance, Assurance, Safety, Law Enforcement and Security for the Department of Energy (WSRS). Mike also served as assistant professor of political science at the United States Military Academy, West Point. Dr. Hummel earned his Ph.D. from Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, New York, 2000, Department of Social Sciences/Organization and Leadership, TC, and a Masters Degree in Philosophy. He also earned a Master of Public Administration Degree from the School of Public and International Affairs at Columbia University in New York. Mike is the author of numerous publications on counter-criminal/terrorist and security operations and has developed or chaired 11 regional conferences on international and homeland security to include active shooter conferences on the protection of academic institutions and places of worship. Mike has been inducted as a Distinguished Member of the US Army Ranger Training School at Ft. Benning, GA (currently Ft. Moore). Mike’s Military Service Awards, Tactical School Qualifications, and Decorations include: Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, National Service Medal, Combat Parachute Jump, Bronze Star, Expeditionary Medal w/Bronze Arrowhead, Combat Infantry Badges (2), Southwest Asia Medal, Master Parachutist Jumpmaster Qualification Badge, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, US Army Ranger School Graduate, Pathfinder Qualification Badge, Valorous Unit Award, Air Assault Qualification Badge, Presidential Unit Citation, and Special Forces Free Fall Jumpmaster Qualification Badge. Dr. Hummel is survived by three children, Nathan, Joseph, and Katie. Friends were received on Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 2 to 4 P.M. and 7 to 9 P.M. in the Ferguson Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 700 Broad Avenue, Belle Vernon. 724-929-5300. www.FergusonFuneralHomeandCrematory.com. Dr. Hummel, a retired military officer and purple heart recipient, will be laid to rest at the Arlington National Military Cemetery in Washington, D.C., where graveside services will be held on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 9 A.M. All persons 16 years or older attending will have to show photo identification upon entry.

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Dr. Michael L. Hummel

November 12, 1956 - March 19, 2024