Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III announces that Erie County District Attorney’s Office Chief Criminal Investigator Joseph Riga today received the 2015 Career Service Award from the Western New York Law Enforcement Foundation at its annual 911 Remembrance ceremony.

A 45 year law enforcement veteran, Chief Riga began his career as a patrolman in the Buffalo Police Department. Steadily rising through the ranks, he became a Captain who eventually came to command the Narcotics Squad. In 1996, Chief Riga was appointed Chief of the Homicide Squad, where he remained until his retirement in 2001. During his tenure as leader of the Buffalo Police Department’s elite investigative unit, Chief Riga oversaw the successful investigation of hundreds of homicide cases.

Upon his retirement from the Buffalo Police Department, Riga became Chief of the NFTA Police Department, where he served for nearly a decade. Chief Riga then joined the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, where currently serves as its Chief Criminal Investigator.

DA Sedita stated the following:

“As a young prosecutor, I had the opportunity to work with Chief Riga on many successful homicide prosecutions. Eventually I had the good fortune of being elected District Attorney and the even greater fortune of convincing Chief Riga to supervise my team of investigators. Blessed with a keen intellect, sound judgment, a tireless work ethic, unrivaled law enforcement experience, and incredible human decency, Chief Riga is the most professional police officer I have met in my 27 years as a prosecutor. The prestigious award he received today is well deserved.”