On June 9, Newtown resident and Connecticut State’s Attorney Stephen J. Sedensky III received a distinct honor during the Connecticut Criminal Justice Educational and Charitable Association’s 18th Annual John M. Bailey Memorial Scholarship & Awards Dinner.

Among those being recognized during that event in Southington, Sedensky was presented with the 2022 Kevin T. Kane Lifetime Achievement Award.

Considered a pioneer in the investigation and prosecution of child abuse, Sedensky began his distinguished career at the Division of Criminal Justice working on the front lines of the State’s Attorney’s Office in Bridgeport. He later served in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney where he became Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney for the Statewide Prosecution Bureau before becoming State’s Attorney in Danbury.

According to the event program, Sedensky has distinguished himself in numerous areas and on many cases, notably conducting the investigation into the shootings of 26 children and teachers at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, including a determination of whether the shooter acted alone.

He is a national leader in the area of child abuse investigations and prosecutions, pioneering the Finding Words program in Connecticut and serving for many years as co-chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Justice for Abused Children.

The ceremony also recognized the following individuals:

The 2022 Employee of the Year Award was presented to Inspector Herbert Johnson of the Judicial District of Ansonia/Milford for his actions in an incident that is yet another reminder that Division of Criminal Justice Inspectors are sworn law enforcement officers on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

On October 12, 2021, Inspector Johnson was traveling home from work when he came upon a serious incident involving a Connecticut State Police Trooper attempting to apprehend a highly intoxicated man who had stolen a tractor trailer. Some 10 vehicles were damaged by the driver.

Johnson assisted in the apprehension of the suspect, who had attempted to wrest away his duty weapon posing imminent threat to Inspector Johnson, the trooper and others. Through his quick response and effective actions, the incident was brought to a close with no loss of life or serious injury.

At the dinner Thursday, Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin presented an award from the Division of Criminal Justice recognizing Connecticut Police State Trooper Horatio Hinds for his “outstanding service above and beyond the call of duty” in assisting Inspector Johnson in the October 12, 2021 incident.

Three 2022 Oliver Ellsworth Prosecutor of the Year Awards were presented to Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Stephen Carney, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Thomas DeLillo, and Assistant State’s Attorney Marissa Goldberg of the Judicial District of New London for their exemplary work in the matters of State v. Sergio Correa and State v. Ruth Correa, the successful prosecutions of a brother and sister convicted of the murders of Kenneth and Janet Lindquist and their son, Matthew.

As noted in the nomination, the three prosecutors “exhibited tireless dedication in the preparation and trial of an extremely complex case and their professionalism exemplified the best of what prosecutors should strive to be.”

In addition, 2022 Special Recognition Awards were presented to Tracy Cretella, Clerical Supervisor in Geographical Area No. 23 in New Haven and Anthony Duarte, Investigator in Geographical Area No. 12 in Manchester.