The Hammer

The Hammer, first presented in 2007, goes to the character, not the author, for his/her contribution to and longevity in the field:

2007
SHELL SCOTT
by Richard S. Prather

2008
NAMELESS
by Bill Pronzini

2009
MATT SCUDDER
by Lawrence Block

2010
SHARON McCONE
by Marcia Miller

2011
V.I. WARSHAWSKI
by Sara Paretsky

2012
NATE HELLER
by Max Allan Collins

2014
KINSEY MILLHONE
by Sue Grafton