Fourteen Individuals in the District of Arizona to Receive Attorney General Awards

PHOENIX—Attorney General Eric Holder announced today that 270 Justice Department employees and 53 individuals, including 14 people in the District of Arizona, will receive an Attorney General Award. These annual awards recognize department employees and other individuals for their dedication to carrying out the Department of Justice’s mission.

In the District of Arizona, 14 individuals will be honored with an award.

“Despite significant challenges, evolving threats, and unprecedented budgetary difficulties, these dedicated employees have exemplified the very best of what it means to serve the American people,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “Over the past year, each of them has gone above and beyond the call of duty to carry out the Justice Department’s critical mission and protect our fellow citizens. Some of these remarkable men and women have placed their own lives at great risk in order to save others. All of these employees and their families have made tremendous sacrifices in the name of public service. I am proud, and humbled, to count them as colleagues. And I congratulate them on this prestigious and well-deserved recognition.”

“We are pleased that the attorney general has recognized the outstanding effort of these very deserving individuals with this award.” said U.S. Attorney John S. Leonardo.

In the District of Arizona, the following individuals were recognized for the following awards:

The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service is presented to the team responsible for the successful investigation and conviction of Jared Lee Loughner, an Arizona man who attempted to assassinate Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and killed six others at a mass shooting in Tucson, Arizona. In the wake of this tragedy, the team demonstrated skill, professionalism, and compassion in dutifully carrying out their responsibilities. Due to the team’s efforts, Loughner was sentenced to serve seven consecutive life terms and an additional 140 consecutive years in prison. From the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, recipients include Wallace H. Kleindienst, senior litigation counsel; Mary Sue Feldmeier, Beverly K. Anderson, Christina M. Cabanillas, and Bruce M. Ferg, assistant U.S. attorneys; Shawn M. Cox, victim witness coordinator; Delores J. Arter and Mary-Anne Estrada, victim witness specialists; Thomas J. Jefferson, victim witness specialist (former); Wendy A. Dolph, supervisory legal assistant; Celeste Maniscalco, legal assistant; and Sylvia Romero, appellate paralegal specialist. From the Tucson Resident Agency of the FBI, recipients include Tony M. Taylor, Jr. and Alan P. Misiaszek, special agents.