Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced the recipients for the 69th Annual Attorney General’s Awards, recognizing Department of Justice employees and partners for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. This year, 298 Justice Department employees received awards, while 54 non-department individuals are also being honored for their work.
“This year’s awardees have served selflessly to further the Department’s important work upholding the rule of law, keeping our country safe, and protecting civil rights,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “I am proud to recognize these individuals for their professionalism, skill, and leadership, and I am grateful for their service to our Department and our nation.”
“This group worked countless hours to ensure that there was accountability for the horrific crimes committed by Reta Mays,” said United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld. “Their tremendous efforts helped to bring some measure of justice for the victims and closure for their families.”
The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service is the department’s second highest award for employee performance. The team that investigated and prosecuted the case against Reta Mays, the serial killer who took the lives of eight veterans at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Clarksburg were one of 15 teams honored with this award. The Distinguished Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarod J. Douglas and Brandon S. Flower, Victim-Witness Coordinator Christina M. Frizzell of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of West Virginia; Special Agents Ashley E. Archibald and John D. Large, Pittsburgh Division, FBI; Resident Agent in Charge Colin Davis, and Special Agent Keith Vereb, Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Veterans Affairs.
“The defendant’s guilty plea is a testament to the strength of the case developed from a highly complex investigation involving a close partnership between the VA Office of Inspector General, the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia, and the FBI, with the invaluable assistance of the West Virginia State Police and the Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force,” said VA Inspector General Michael J. Missal. “Their tireless and dedicated efforts resulted in solving this series of heinous crimes against veterans and providing some measure of closure for the victims’ families.”
“I’m extremely proud of the work done by my agents, the VA OIG, and the U.S. Attorney’s office on the Reta Mays investigation,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “I want to thank Attorney General Garland for recognizing this team. The results of this case and the efforts of everyone involved are a testament to the excellent collaboration we have with our law enforcement partners and the US Attorney’s Office. This case demonstrates the value and effectiveness of partnerships to ensure justice for all of the citizens we serve and protect.”
Original source can be found here.