Home Jacksonville Press Releases 2010 FBI Announces 2010 Recipient of Director’s Community Leadership Award
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FBI Announces 2010 Recipient of Director’s Community Leadership Award

FBI Jacksonville November 22, 2010
  • Amanda Warford Videll (904) 248-7093

James Casey, Special Agent in Charge of the Jacksonville Division of the FBI, announced today that Bernie de la Rionda, an Assistant State Attorney in the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida, has been named the recipient of the 2010 Director's Community Leadership Award.

Established in 1990, the Director's Community Leadership Award is presented each year by FBI field offices to individuals whose achievements in the areas of crime prevention, drug deterrence, or similar educational programs have made a positive difference in their communities. Past Jacksonville recipients of the award include Robin Sorensen of Firehouse Subs Inc., Ann Dugger of the Justice Coalition, Terry Lane of Metro Kids Konnection, Delores Barr Weaver, and former Sheriff Nat Glover.

Mr. de la Rionda is being recognized because of his notable service, leadership, and significant contributions to the prosecution of crime in Northeast Florida. During his 27-year career, he has had more than 250 jury trials, 67 of which have been homicide cases. In 22 of those cases, he was successful in obtaining a death penalty recommendation and sentence. In 2009-2010 he was the lead counsel in five homicide trials, all of which were first-degree murder cases. Mr. de la Rionda approaches all of his cases with both passion and tenacity, which accounts for his remarkable success.

While performing at a high level, Mr. de la Rionda strives to promote a deeper sense of understanding of individual responsibility. He knows how to motivate citizens to recognize their duties as well as their rights and privileges. Both in the courtroom and in the office, Mr. de la Rionda is a dynamic and powerful communicator. In spite of these formidable gifts, he is a humble and approachable person who is eager to share his knowledge with others. State Attorney Angela B. Corey wrote of him, "It is an honor for our young lawyers to have the great privilege of learning from his wealth of information and experience."

It is the citizens of Northeast Florida who have been the beneficiaries of the integrity and selflessness demonstrated by Mr. de la Rionda throughout his distinguished career.

The award presentation will take place during a ceremony to be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23, 2010, at the State Attorney’s Office, located in the courthouse annex building, 220 East Bay St., Jacksonville.

Members of the media interested in attending are asked to contact Page Marchman at the State Attorney’s Office, telephone (904) 630-7075, or by e-mail at pagem@coj.net.