Sandy Hook investigator receives award
The state's attorney for the Danbury Judicial District was given a lifetime achievement award Thursday evening for his work investigating and prosecuting child abuse cases, as well as investigating the shooting at
Sandy Hook Elementary School, according to the state Division of Criminal
Justice.
Stephen J. Sedensky III was one of many honored at the Connecticut Criminal Justice Educational and Charitable Association's 18th annual John M. Bailey Memorial Scholarship & Awards Dinner in Southington.
“Sedensky has distinguished himself in numerous areas and on many cases, notably conducting the investigation into the shootings of 26 children and teachers at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, including a determination of whether the shooter acted alone,” the department said of the 2022 Kevin T. Kane Lifetime Achievement Award winner. “He is a national leader in the area of child abuse investigations and prosecutions, pioneering the Finding Words program in Connecticut and serving for many years as co-chair of the Governor's Task Force on Justice for Abused Children.”
Sedensky began his career with the state attorney's office in Bridgeport, moving on to become supervisory assistant state's attorney for the Statewide Prosecution Bureau before assuming his current role.
Three prosecutors were also honored for their “exemplary work in the matters of State v. Sergio Correa and State v. Ruth Correa,” the successful prosecutions of a brother and sister convicted of the murders of Kenneth and Janet Lindquist and their son, Matthew.
The three 2022 Oliver Ellsworth Prosecutor of the Year Awards were presented to Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney Stephen Carney, Senior Assistant State's Attorney Thomas DeLillo and Assistant State's Attorney Marissa Goldberg of the Judicial District of New London.
The three prosecutors' nominations said they “exhibited tireless dedication in the preparation and trial of an extremely complex case and their professionalism exemplified the best of what prosecutors should strive to be,” according to the department.
The 2022 Employee of the Year Award was presented to Inspector Herbert
Johnson of the Judicial District of Ansonia/Milford for his actions in an incident “that is yet another reminder that Division of Criminal Justice Inspectors are sworn law enforcement officers on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” officials said.
According to a statement, “On October 12, 2021, Inspector Johnson was traveling home from work when he came upon a serious incident involving a Connecticut State Police Trooper attempting to apprehend a highly intoxicated man who had stolen a tractor trailer. Some 10 vehicles were damaged by the driver.”
Officials said Johnson “assisted in the apprehension of the suspect, who had attempted to wrest away his duty weapon posing imminent threat to Inspector Johnson, the trooper and others. Through his quick response and effective actions, the incident was brought to a close with no loss of life or serious injury.”
Chief State's Attorney Patrick J. Griffin presented a commendation to Connecticut Police State Trooper Horatio Hinds on Thursday for his “outstanding service above and beyond the call of duty” for aiding Johnson during the October 12, 2021 incident.
Officials said 2022 Special Recognition Awards were awarded to Tracy Cretella, clerical supervisor in Geographical Area No. 23 in New Haven and Anthony Duarte, investigator in Geographical Area No. 12 in Manchester.
“Tracy Cretella, who is retiring this year, is the clerical supervisor in one of, if not the busiest courthouses in the state. Prior to coming to G.A. 23, she had already distinguished herself as the lead clerical in G.A. No. 7 in Meriden where she began her career at the Division,” officials said. “Throughout her career, she has been routinely described by her supervisors and coworkers as an exemplary employee always ready to assist others and take on large tasks.”
Duarte is also retiring this year after 36 years. According to the department, he “is known not only for his many contributions as investigator in Manchester and previously at G.A. No. 15 in New Britain, but also for his never-ending dedication and commitment to improving working conditions for all Division of Criminal Justice employees through his long association with the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Council 4.
Officials said he also “brought honor and good will to the Division of Criminal Justice through service in his community.”