FBI honors 29 local members of law enforcement

Philadelphia Police Officer Thomas Fiorino was on a bank-robbery detail at a busy Commerce Bank office in Center City on the day Rodney Blackman walked in, drew a gun, and demanded money from a teller.

Blackman, a suspect in seven armed robberies at Center City banks, had eluded all attempts by law enforcement to find or even identify him. But on that day, all Fiorino knew was that he had to stop Blackman - so he pulled his gun, ordered Blackman to surrender, and made the February 2008 arrest before a shot was fired.

Fiorino was one of 29 members of law enforcement honored Friday by the FBI for investigative work or other recent achievements. Special Agent in Charge George C. Venizelos of the Philadelphia Division of the FBI presented each with a letter and certificate at a ceremony at the FBI's office in Old City.

Others recognized included members of the Philadelphia Police Department, the District Attorney's Office, and doctors from the Medical Examiner's Office, who were honored for their work in the investigation surrounding the 2008 murder of Philadelphia Police Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski.

"Your ability," Venizelos said, "to work through the emotions of such a loss and continue the investigation, which ultimately brought justice for Sgt. Liczbinski and his family, is greatly appreciated."

Six members of the Haverford Township Police Department were honored for apprehending bank robber Hiram Adams in August. Adams, known as the "mummy bandit" for the bandages he wore on his head, has pleaded guilty to federal charges.

In addition to Fiorino, other Philadelphia police officers honored were: Officers Amanda Levy, Jose Perez, Bidaret Worede, Shamaya Allen-Bullock, Donna Jaconi, James Taggert, Robert Flade, William Trenwith and Robert Stott; Detectives Thorsten Lucke, Tracy Byard, Patrick Mangold, Domenic Mangoni, and James Dunlap; Sgt. Mark Palma; and Examiner Kenneth Lay.

Members of the District Attorney's Office honored were Assistant District Attorneys Ann Ponterio and Jude Conroy, and paralegal B.J. Graham-Rubin.

Recognized from the Medical Examiner's Office were Drs. Bennett Preston and Gary Collins.

Members of the Haverford Township Police Department honored were: Detectives Thomas J. Long, Jere Goodman, Matthew Hufnal, and Eugene Dolan, and Officers Michael Flynn and Keith Gilman.

Newtown Township, Delaware County, Police Officer John Newell also was honored.