Source: Office of United States Attorneys
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe announced the recipients of the 2024 Law Enforcement Public Service Awards on Wednesday. Honorees were selected based on their contributions to successful prosecutions in the Southern District of Illinois.
“In 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office charged 248 criminal cases, which is nearly a 23% increase from 2023. We couldn’t prosecute cases without successful investigations, and we were proud to recognize this group of our trusted law enforcement partners with awards for their public service,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe.
Awardees include: IRS Agents Jason Bamvakais and Bradley Roessler, DEA Task Force Officer Timothy Birckhead, ATF Agents Duane Clauer and Zachary Green, FBI Agent Raymond Hart, HSI Task Force Officer Robert Wallace, Illinois State Police Sergeant Zachary Heard, Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General Agent Raymond Vasil and U.S. Marshals Service Deputy William Clay Weier.
The USMS Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force was selected as the group awardee.
“We are elated and grateful to the United States Attorney’s Office for recognizing the outstanding work of the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, Southern District of Illinois, and Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Clay Weier with the 2024 Law Enforcement Public Service Award. SDUSM Weier has been an outstanding leader directing the daily activities of the task force. Their recent performance during Operation North Star, a national USMS fugitive operation, reinforced my belief that they are the best task force in the county,” said U.S. Marshal David Davis.
Agent Bamvakais leads exceptional financial investigations and contributes to the office’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force caseload, and retired Agent Roessler was recognized for his talent at developing confidential informants.
Agent Birckhead works diligently on fatal drug overdose investigations throughout the Metro East, including the prosecution of Tessa Webber who was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for selling a fatal dose of fentanyl.
“Agent Birckhead is one of the best of the best. He continually investigates with tenacity and perseverance leaving no stone unturned. He also works with a zest for our victims and emulates every police officer’s sworn oath,” said Fairview Heights Police Chief Steve Johnson.
Agent Clauer received recognition for his outstanding work on arson cases and testifying at trials. Agent Green was highlighted for his efforts to educate the law enforcement community in southern Illinois on the prevalence of ghost guns.
“Every day our Special Agents work to make our communities safer, uphold the law, and protect civil rights, and we are happy that two of our Special Agents are being recognized for their outstanding work,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Shannon Hamm.
Agent Hart and Officer Wallace received accolades for their tireless and excellent work on child exploitation investigations.
Sergeant Heard was honored for his contributions to investigate human trafficking cases in southern Illinois. In addition, he has led numerous trainings for more than 2,000 law enforcement officers to improve their education on trafficking indications during traffic stops.
Retired Agent Vasil led the financial investigations for four cases charged over the last year regarding disability and PPP loan fraud.