Corporal Clinton Tada, Sgt. Matt Frisby, Capt. Alana Forrest and Sgt. Mike D'Antonio
Today four Los Gatos/Monte Sereno police officers will be receiving awards for their investigation into the Mark Achilli homicide.
Captain Alana Forrest, Sergeant Matt Frisby, Sergeant Michael D’Antonio and Corporal Clinton Tada will be presented the 2009 Robert Presley Institute of Criminal Investigation “Investigative Excellence Award” award at a conference in San Francisco.
The investigative award is sponsored by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, and is given to investigative teams that demonstrate perseverance, collaboration, creativity, resourcefulness and interview and interrogation prowess.
The police officers led a multi-agency investigation into the for-hire murder of the popular Los Gatos businessman and bartender Mark Achilli, who was shot and killed on March 14, 2008. The investigation led to the arrest of five individuals.
“The department is very proud of our investigative team and of all members of the department who supported and contributed to this effort,” said Chief Scott Seaman, “A case of this size and complexity can easily overwhelm an agency of our size, and it is to the credit of our team that they sought and utilized the help of our neighboring agencies and state and federal partners.
“We share this award with the Santa Clara, San Jose, Campbell and Sunnyvale police departments, the District Attorney’s Office, the County crime lab, the state department of justice, the FBI and ATF and the other agencies we engaged.”
See Alastair Dallas’s Los Gatos Observer stories about the Achilli murder and investigation here:
Comments (3)
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Randy Villata Thu, Apr 16, 2009 - 1:48 pm
While LGPD has always been one of the best, now that Capt Forrest and Chief Seaman have replaced the weak links in managment, I kind of regret moving out of town. Truly an exceptional team in all aspects.
randy villata lgpd ret.
Patty Walsh Fri, Apr 17, 2009 - 7:12 am
Wondering why they would receive an award before a conviction. It hasn’t been long since their crack investigative team put the murderer of Jeanine Harms back on the streets.
Randy Villata Fri, Apr 17, 2009 - 11:00 am
Very good question, but I think one would have to witness the work load that goes thru that place.And I believe there has been a considerable personell change since the Harms case.But again..good question.