Greenwich detectives honored at Law Enforcement Awards ceremony
GREENWICH — The work of the Greenwich Police Department was highlighted in the annual awards for law enforcement in Connecticut.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office Law Enforcement Awards ceremony on June 14 cited three federal criminal cases in which Greenwich police officers achieved convictions. The awards pay tribute to cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
“We in the U.S. Attorney’s Office are forever mindful that our work and success are dependent on the dedicated efforts of our federal, state and local law enforcement partners,” U.S. Attorney John H. Durham said. “On behalf of everyone in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, my sincere congratulations to all of our award recipients, many of whom put themselves at risk every day for the safety of our communities.”
The awards were given for cases that were brought to a conclusion, with guilty pleas or convictions, in 2018.
Greenwich police Detective Robert McKiernan was recognized for his work in gaining a guilty plea from Jodi Zils Gagne. Gagne, a former Bristol attorney, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for stealing $169,000 from her victims. She was a court-appointed conservator over a number of victims, and misappropriated funds for medical care, housing and personal expenses.
McKiernan was also cited for his part in the investigation of Thomas Murtha. Murtha, a former Bridgeport attorney, pleaded guilty to stealing $2 million from more than 20 individuals, including law clients, friends and family members. Murtha was sentenced to 78 months in prison for his crimes.
Sgt. Thomas Kelly, Sgt. Kristopher Shockley, Detective Anthony Fiscella, Detective Christopher Libasci, Detective James Manning, Detective Kyle O’Neill and Detective Brian Perusse were honored for the case brought against a serial-robber, David Byers, who was sentenced in 2018.
Byers, who was dubbed the beefcake bandit, committed two bank robberies and one gas station robbery in Greenwich and other crimes on Long Island. He escaped from authorities on the East Coast and was eventually captured in San Diego, his hometown. Byers was sentenced to 88 months in federal prison.
More than 40 of the award recipients at the recent ceremony were members of local police departments from across Connecticut. The ceremony was held at the City of New Haven’s aldermanic chambers.