U.S. Attorney’s Office Honors Law Enforcement Partners and “Hometown Heroes” During National Police Week

INDIANAPOLIS- On May 15, 2026, United States Attorney Tom Wheeler recognized more than 160 individuals from 33 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies during the Office’s annual awards ceremony at the Indiana War Memorial & Museum in downtown Indianapolis. Held during National Police Week, the ceremony honored law enforcement professionals whose exceptional work safeguarded communities across Indiana in cases concluded in 2025.

In commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, the U.S. Attorney’s Office named Matt and Laurie Shahnavaz—Founders of the Remember Officer Noah Foundation—as the 2026 Hometown Heroes. This award honors the enduring American ideals of liberty, service, and civic responsibility. Matt and Laurie were recognized for their extraordinary service, unwavering devotion to their community, and steadfast support of law enforcement in carrying forward the mission and legacy of fallen Elwood Police Officer Noah Jacob Shahnavaz.

 Case Awards:

Outstanding Collaborative Investigation

Recognizes cases demonstrating exceptional teamwork and the ability to overcome significant challenges through multi‑agency coordination.

Awarded to: U.S. v. Carranza, et al and U.S. v. Patients Choice Labs

 Project Safe Childhood – Shield of Innocence

Honors those who provide extraordinary assistance to victims of federal child sexual abuse crimes, including sustained emotional support, extensive off‑duty dedication, detailed financial analysis to secure restitution, and resolving complex investigative challenges.

Awarded to: U.S. v. Austin Ryan Lauless, U.S. v. Bryan Lee Fish, and U.S. v. Moises Bojorquez

 L.E.A.T.H Heroism Award

Presented to a case demonstrating extraordinary commitment and fortitude in pursuing justice for domestic violence victims. The award honors IMPD Officer Breann Leath, who was killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance. The LEATH Initiative—led by ATF, IMPD, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office—focuses on domestic violence offenders who illegally possess firearms or have significant violent criminal histories.

Awarded to: U.S. v. Pedro Zuniga-Lopez

 Investigative Excellence Award

Recognizes cases that significantly advanced the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice through complex, thorough, and proactive evidence analysis.

Awarded to:  U.S. v. Julian Green, et al and U.S. v. Freire-Pifferrer, et al

 Excellence in the Pursuit of Justice

Presented to a case in which local, state, and federal officials achieved extraordinary results in preventing crime, enhancing community safety, and seeking justice.

Awarded to: U.S. v. James Henley, et al

 Community Impact

Recognizes a case that produced widespread, positive impact on constituents, strengthened law enforcement relationships, and contributed to the lasting legacy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana.

Awarded to: U.S. v. Desha Morris, U.S. v. Aaron Strong and U.S. v. Kristopher McDonald

 Outstanding Agency Service

Presented to cases that substantially contributed to the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice.

Awarded to: U.S. v. Lawrence Taylor, U.S. v. Otha Watkins II, U.S. v. Jeremy Mack, U.S. v. Mitchell Gibson and Quaylan Anderson v. United States.

Excellence in Appellate Practice

Recognizes an appellate case exemplifying excellence in legal writing, issue preservation, and advocacy before the appellate courts, contributing meaningfully to the development of the law and the protection of the United States’ interests.

Awarded to: U.S. v. Fenner, et al

Participating Agencies

Honorees represented the following 33 agencies:

• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• Drug Enforcement Administration
• Federal Bureau of Investigation – Indianapolis and Tampa
• Federal Bureau of Prisons – FCC Terre Haute
• Homeland Security Investigations – Indianapolis and Cleveland
• IRS–Criminal Investigation
• U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland
• U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General
• U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Frauds Section
• U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
• U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service
• Indiana Attorney General’s Homeowner Protection Unit
• Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
• Indiana State Police
• Charlestown Police Department
• Clarksville Police Department
• Cleveland, Ohio Police Department
• Evansville Police Department
• Fishers Police Department
• Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office
• Henry County Sheriff’s Office
• Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
• Jeffersonville Police Department
• Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office
• Morgan County Sheriff’s Office
• New Castle Police Department
• Plainfield Police Department
• Princeton Police Department
• Richmond Police Department
• Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office
• Zionsville Police Department

Working With His Wife to Dismantle Drug-Peddling Prison Gang

What motivated you to join the DEA?

I started out in law enforcement at the local level which was a step towards my desire to serve my community and make a difference. It was while I was working as a Narcotics Detective for the Scottsdale Police Department that I received an assignment to work in the Phoenix DEA office as a Task Force Officer (TFO) that an entire world of opportunity opened up to me. Making drug cases at the local level and getting to arrest those peddling poison to people in the community was rewarding, but getting the opportunity through DEA to take investigations all the way up to the major distributors, both in the United States and abroad was a game changer. I knew at that moment that through a career at DEA, I could go beyond helping the local community and have the ability to work investigations that could have an impact across the United States.

What does an average day as a Special Agent look like for you?

Several years back, I chose to move into a supervisory position in DEA in order to mentor and lead the next generation of DEA agents. As part of our career progression and preparation for higher leadership, we are required to complete a tour at DEA Headquarters. I am currently assigned as an Executive Assistant (EA) to the DEA Chief of Operations. The Chief of Operations oversees DEA enforcement actions and investigations throughout the United States and all across the world. My average day as an EA involves providing the Chief of Operations situational awareness on important issues that might rise to the level of the DEA Administrator and to help answer taskings that come down from the Administrator or outside DEA, such as from the Department of Justice, Congress, and the White House.  I also assist the Chief of Operations with making sure that DEA Headquarters is responsive to the needs of the agents in the field doing the hard, day-to-day work.

What has been your proudest moment as a Special Agent thus far?

My wife is a Special Agent with the FBI and my proudest moment as a Special Agent was getting the opportunity to work with my wife and the FBI in a joint DEA/FBI investigation that dismantled a violent white supremacist prison gang that was involved in distributing methamphetamine and firearms. The investigation was one of many in my career that showed that close cooperation and support with our fellow law enforcement partners at the local, state, and federal level can lead to dramatic results.

How can young people who wish to become a Special Agent best prepare themselves for the job?

As a Special Agent, we take an oath to defend the Constitution and uphold the nation’s laws. This means that for those interested in becoming a Special Agent, even before you take the oath of office, your life and your integrity have to be at the highest standards. Also, the job of a DEA Special Agent is one where you will be tested on a daily basis to go above and beyond – so seek out challenges for yourself, whether that be through academics, sports, or giving back to your community. The more you push and challenge yourself, the better equipped you will be to take on the responsibility of a DEA Special Agent.

The synthetic opioid fentanyl – often mixed into other drugs – is now responsible for tens of thousands of American deaths per year. How has the fentanyl epidemic changed your job?

The fentanyl epidemic has drastically changed the job of a DEA agent by increasing the urgency of our investigations. When we investigate drug organizations, we are always concerned about mitigating risks to the public, such as when we develop information that a drug target is going to commit a violent crime. In these situations, we act immediately and in coordination with our law enforcement partners to attempt to prevent violent crime. With the lethality of fentanyl, we now must be aware of potential risks to the public for the time it takes to conduct a thorough investigation. The goal of DEA investigations is to collect the evidence which leads to convictions and ultimately incarceration for those peddling poison, but sometimes we must weigh the risks posed by even a small amount of fentanyl reaching the streets of our communities and take action.