ACSO - Employee of the Month

The following personnel were nominated to receive Employee of the Month commendation for NOVEMBER 2008.

Deputy Ian Barrett, Deputy Shane Countryman and Deputy Conor Mullen

Real Estate Clerk Lori Hirsch

Acting Sergeant James Klingensmith

I would like to extend my appreciation to all of the nominees for their excellent and dedicated work. They were recognized by their supervisors as outstanding representatives of the Sheriff’s Office and, as always, I was pleased to learn of their recent and notable actions.

I am pleased to acknowledge the selection of DEPUTIES IAN BARRETT, SHANE COUNTRYMAN & CONOR MULLEN as this month’s honorees. Over two years ago, Deputy Barrett, Deputy Mullen and Shane Countryman (working for D.A.N.E.T. at the time) launched an investigation in Braddock Borough concentrating on the undercurrent of illegal gangs, drugs and firearms in the area. With few leads available, they infiltrated the underground crime scene by making series of undercover buys. They slowly began to uncover and break-up widespread, violent crime activity contributing to the corruption in Braddock and surrounding regions. Confiscated within this extensive operation were multiple kilos of cocaine, pounds of marijuana and other drugs, over $300,000 in cash, and over twenty-five firearms. Their work with other law enforcement agencies in this development has contributed to the solution of two murder investigations (one occurring in Pittsburgh and one in Braddock) and has served as a catalyst leading to the start of critical investigations in other major U.S. cities. One of the most notable results of the investigation, however, is the indictment of 51 corrupt individuals by the U.S. Government. Their ability to pursue and divulge such aggressive crime networks was heavily reliant on remaining undetected, committed and meticulous throughout a long-term sting operation.

In recognition, Deputies Barrett, Countryman and Mullen will each also be granted one full day off work, as long as no overtime is incurred. Please join me in congratulating this team in their very worthy accomplishment.