Richmond Hill Explosion Investigators, Local CFO Earn Awards

The lead investigators for the 2012 Richmond Hill Subdivision natural gas explosion case that led to a four-year investigation with several trials and convictions were honored Dec. 4 by Indiana prosecuting attorneys, the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council says. The three-city investigation followed the explosion which killed two residents, injured seven, damaged or destroyed more than 86 homes, resulting in more than $4 million in property damage, the council said in a release. According to a release, Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry outlined the extreme diligence of the multiple-agency investigation while evidence was gathered to rule out an accidental explosion or prove an intentional act.

The following are the award recipients:

• Lead arson investigator Lt. Mario Garza of the Indianapolis Fire Department, and lead homicide investigator Det. Sgt. Jeffrey Wager of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, were nominated for the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council Law Enforcement Award by Marion County Prosecutor Terry R. Curry, who according to a release said they were nominated for "their leadership and commitment to obtaining justice on behalf of the residents of Richmond Hill and the families of Jennifer and Dion Longworth.” The council reports Prosecutor Curry said Lt. Garza and Sgt. Wager were first in South Bend and then in Fort Wayne for the trials of Mark and Bob Leonard, and hundreds of public safety officials and officers deserve recognition for their work.
• Cindy Craig, recipient of the IPAC Kathy Falkner Richey Award for excellence in prosecutor’s office administration. Chief of Operations and Chief Financial Officer, Cindy Craig first began in the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office as a 16 year old student at Northwest High School. After 33 years she has served under five prosecutors in both Republican and Democrat administrations, and manages a budget of approximately $32.5 million in an office of almost 400 staff members. “I could go on at length regarding Cindy’s contributions to our office," Prosecutor Curry said in a release. "However, my recommendation can be simply stated. Cindy is indispensable to the operation of this office.”

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Photo credit: Courtesy IPAC

Indiana Pr From left: IFD Lt. Mario Garza, Prosecutor Terry R. Curry, IMPD Det. Sgt. Jeffrey Wager. Bottom - From left: Marion County Prosecutor's Office CFO Cindy Craig, Prosecutor Terry Curry