U.S. Attorney’s Office Recognizes Exceptional Law Enforcement Work at its Annual Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony

On December 15, 2020, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont (USAO) honored a number of individuals from a variety of law enforcement agencies at the USAO’s third annual Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony. This year, the ceremony was hosted virtually, due to the pandemic, and invitations were limited due to the constraints of the virtual platform for the ceremony. Individual investigators and officers were nominated by USAO staff in a variety of categories for their outstanding work supporting the mission of this office and promoting public safety. Award recipients from Vermont hailed from federal, state, and local agencies. Federal and local law enforcement from Massachusetts and a civilian from New Hampshire were also honored for their outstanding contributions to the work of the USAO. The specific categories and individuals recognized today are as follows:

U.S. Attorney Award
(recognizes one whose professional excellence advances the mission of the USAO)

Resident Agent in Charge Brian Sultzbaugh, Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service

Investigative Achievement Award
(recognizes those who have substantially contributed to the mission of the USAO)

Special Agent Tam Vieth, ATF
Special Agent Matthew Ekstrom, ATF
Special Agent Mark Persson, DEA
(United States v. McCray, Cargo, Johnson, Raduechel)

Dwayne Mellis, DEA Task Force Officer (Burlington PD)
(United States v. Shores)

Special Agent Jamie Pillsbury, HSI
Det. Sgt. Christopher Lora, Vermont State Police
Sgt. Ryan Wood, Vermont State Police
Det. Trp. Andrew Todd, Vermont State Police
Det. Trp. Sean Reilly, Vermont State Police
(United States v. Davila)

Victim Service Award
(honors those who have provided extraordinary assistance to victims of a federal crime)

Special Agent Timothy O’Leary, HSI
(United States v. Walker, Smith, Bowie, Bernard and Carter)

Special Agent Patrick Hanna, FBI
(United States v. Dwyer)

Meritorious Public Service Award
(award recipients are those who render praiseworthy service to the District of Vermont)

The Vermont Intelligence Center- LT. Shawn Loan, Director

Justin Goulet
(Face of Recovery)

Investigative Excellence Award
(recognizes those whose actions led directly to the arrest of a dangerous subject or to the exposure of a significant criminal conspiracy or other criminal acts)

Special Agent Caitlin Moynihan, HSI
Special Agent Michael McCullagh, HSI
(Collective Body of Work)

Outstanding Collaborative Investigation Award
(recognizes those who have demonstrated outstanding efforts or overcome significant challenges in collaboration with multiple agencies in order to advance the mission of the USAO)

Detective Sergeant Wade Cochran, Montpelier PD
Detective Sergeant Karl Gardner, Vermont State Police
Special Agent Jamie Pillsbury, HSI
Special Agent Colin Simons, FBI
Special Agent Carl William Ruprecht IV, FBI
Detective Will Delgado, FBI Task Force Officer (Holyoke PD)
Detective Tony Brach, FBI Task Force Officer (Holyoke, PD)
(United States v. Rodriguez)

Special Agent Scott Murray, ATF
Corporal Trevor Sargent, St. Albans PD
(United States v. Guerrero and Medina)

Each recipient received an award letter from U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan, as well as an engraved award commemorating their outstanding efforts. Award recipients appeared virtually, joined by colleagues and family for today’s ceremony.  U.S. Attorney Nolan congratulated the award recipients.  She stated: “We at the U.S. Attorney’s Office are thrilled to be hosting our third annual Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony.  We intend that this event become a time-honored tradition of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our law enforcement partners, who support and make possible the important case work we do at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  They make decisions every day to stand on the front lines of our campaigns to combat dangerous crime, and as essential workers, they and their families take on the additional serious risks associated with the pandemic.  We thank them and their families for their sacrifices.  We cannot overstate our support and appreciation for our police officers, and we are proud to recognize and celebrate their outstanding achievements at this awards ceremony.”  

U.S. Attorney Nolan awarded Justin Goulet the Meritorious Public Service Award. Goulet’s struggle with addiction and his recovery were detailed in a short documentary film Face of Recovery, a project spearheaded by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. This film has been presented across the state promoting drug treatment and prevention. Goulet is the first civilian to receive this award.