BANGOR — Two area police detectives were honored last week by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their work in helping to solve federal criminal cases.

The recognition was part of 2013 National Crime Victims Week, according to a release from U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II. 

In ceremonies in Portland and Bangor, the office sought to highlight the criminals’ effect on victims and to recognize police officers for service to the victims and successes bringing criminals to justice.

Investigations conducted by Detective Kelly Hooper of the Skowhegan Police Department and Detective Richard Caton IV of the Jay Police Department were among 10 federal investigations resulting in arrests and convictions in high-visibility cases.

Hooper was recognized for her investigation leading to the convictions of Forrest T. Goodwin Jr., 34, of Fairfield, and Paul Garland, 27, of Oakland, who were involved in a 2009 Skowhegan credit union armed robbery.

Garland was sentenced last summer to eight years in prison for wielding a knife. As a teller began putting money into a bag, Garland banged on the counter with the knife in his hand and yelled, “faster, faster, according to court documents. The men made off with $9,147 in cash.

Goodwin was sentenced to serve 3.5 years in prison as an accomplice in the robbery.

Then-Skowhegan police Chief Michael Emmons said Hooper conducted the investigation locally, assisting FBI and federal prosecutors.

“Kelly did a terrific, terrific job, doing numerous interviews and follow-ups and investigation,” Emmons said at the time. “It’s taken over two years, but we’ve got somebody in custody for it, so her work has paid off.”

Canton was honored with Special Agent Christopher Durkin of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their work in recovering 19 stolen firearms and preventing their distribution and use in other crimes, according to Delahanty.

In that case, Roger Briscoe, 34, of New Sharon, was sentenced in January in federal court to 27 months in prison for possessing the stolen firearms. Briscoe broke into a home in Jay in January 2012 and made off with the guns, including six semi-automatic rifles, five semi-automatic pistols and numerous shotguns. 

Most of the firearms were recovered within 24 hours from Briscoe’s home during the execution of a state search warrant by Canton and the Jay Police Department.

Briscoe pleaded guilty to the charge in October.