Guzdek receives Merit Award

Detective Edward Guzdek was one of five officers recognized by Amherst Police Chief John C. Askey in a recent ceremony that named the department's 2007 Merit Award recipients for the second half of the year.

Guzdek was involved in Sept. 9 and 21 incidents in which pizza deliverymen were lured to empty duplexes by suspects making false orders. The men were subsequently robbed by two suspects.

The detective was assigned the cases and followed up on all tips and information he received. Through these efforts, he was able to develop a pair of suspects in the robberies.

Guzdek continued his investigation, working in concert with the Erie County District Attorney's office until he had a strong enough case to make an arrest.

"Detective Guzdek's ability to genuinely win the confidence of witnesses, suspects and neighborhood residents made the difference in this case and are a credit to his professionalism as a police officer," Capt. Charles Cohen said.

(Editor's note: The Merit Award winners were recognized in the Feb. 13 edition of The Amherst Bee, but the information on Guzdek was omitted.)