WASHINGTON - Attorney General William P. Barr and Justice Department leadership today announced the recipients of the Third Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing, recognizing the exceptional work of 19 law enforcement officers and deputies from 12 jurisdictions across the country.
The Attorney General’s Award recognizes individual state, local and tribal sworn rank-and-file police officers and deputies for exceptional efforts in policing. The awarded officers and deputies have demonstrated active engagement with the community in one of three areas: criminal investigations, field operations or innovations in community policing. The Department received 199 nominations for 414 individuals, ranging from state police departments, to local police, to campus public safety agencies. This award highlights the work that troopers, officers and deputies do to prevent, intervene in and respond to crime and public safety issues.
Detective William Maldonado of the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) is honored for his effort in leading the criminal investigation into La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13, a transnational criminal organization. In January 2016, after the SCPD recognized an increase in MS-13-related crime, Detective Maldonado was assigned to assist in the investigation of the November 2015 disappearance of a 35-year-old man; gang involvement was suspected. During the next six months, there would be three cases of missing teenagers. Detective Maldonado gathered information that indicated the teens had been murdered by MS-13 gang members. Detective Maldonado was tasked with managing intelligence from numerous sources and engaging local police precincts to develop intelligence on targeted gang members of interest. During the course of the investigation, Detective Maldonado was battling cancer, but rarely missed work due to the illness. When he succumbed to his illness in 2018, all of the murder victims’ remains had been recovered, and multiple arrests had been made by law enforcement. As a result of the investigation, MS-13’s Sailor Clique in Suffolk County, which was responsible for most of the murders, was eliminated.
“Honoring and supporting the work of law enforcement officers and deputies is a top priority for the Trump Administration, and today is an opportunity for me to personally express my gratitude and commitment to those who risk their lives daily to protect our communities," said Attorney General Barr. “The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing honors exceptional police officers and the vital public service they provide. The brave men and women in law enforcement are engaged in an unrelenting and often unacknowledged fight to keep our communities safe each and every day. It is an honor to thank them for their service."
“Detective Maldonado’s shining legacy is built upon his unflagging commitment to protect the people of Suffolk County and do justice for the victims brutally killed by MS-13 gang members," stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “His tenacious work remains an inspiration to all members of law enforcement who are working to eradicate MS-13."
“This recognition encapsulates everything Detective Maldonado was, as a person and as a detective," stated SCPD Commissioner Geraldine Hart. “Detective Maldonado worked tirelessly as a member of the FBI Long Island Gang Task Force, where he was instrumental in the fight against MS-13 in Suffolk County. He was proud to be a cop, and we were proud to have him as a member of our SCPD family. His absence is felt every day."
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
