David Fein, U.S. States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, recognized the Shelton Police Department Wednesday for its role investigating the attempted bombing of Times Square this past May.
The convicted terrorist, Faisal Shahzad, owned a home in Shelton prior to the bombing attempt.
Shelton police helped secure the scene of the vacant home while FBI searched the house in May.
For several hours May 5, the agents went through the vacant home and piles of trash left behind in the backyard after Shahzad’s family lost the home to a foreclosure.
Earlier in the day, reporters picked through discarded documents in the yard. Among the finds — Shahzad’s old passport, financial statements and receipts for mortgage payments for the home at 119 Long Hill Ave.
At a ceremony in New Haven, the Connecticut office of the U.S. Attorney also recognized the Connecticut State Police, and police departments in Bridgeport, Stratford, Stamford, and Milford.
Other national groups and New York police were also recognized.
“The manhunt and subsequent investigation literally involved a round-the-clock dedication of resources, and cooperation from numerous local, state and federal law enforcement agencies,” according to a review of the case by the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Shahzad pleaded guilty on June 21 to 10 terrorism related charges, and was sentenced to life in prison on Oct. 5.
Shelton Police Chief Joel Hurliman said he would present the certificate to the department in the coming days.
