Detective Lauded for 'Outstanding and Diligent Investigative Skills'

Detective Jacques Guillois was the common denominator in several of the East Hampton Town Police Department's major cases this past year, which made him the obvious choice for the department's Officer of the Year award.

Guillois, who has been with the department for 10 years, received the award at the annual Southampton Kiwanis Club dinner in Aquebogue on Friday.

"Jacques handled several high profile and difficult cases during 2013 that demonstrate his overall outstanding and diligent investigative skills," Town Police Chief Michael Sarlo wrote in his recommendation letter.

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In February 2013, detectives made an arrest in the hit-and-run accident that resulted in the death of 61-year-old John Judge in Amagansett on Oct. 23, 2012. Edward Orr, of Montauk, ultimately pleaded guilty to a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident and is serving a 2 to 6-year prison sentence.

"With no witnesses to the accident and only small amounts of evidence present, Detective Guillois spearheaded an intensive investigation into this tragedy," Sarlo said.

The Suffolk County Crime Lab was able to identify the make, model and approximate year of the vehicle involved using trace evidence, the chief said. Guillois and the detective squad combed through 1,360 possible matches in Suffolk County and 74 on the East End, alone. Orr had already gotten rid of his Jeep, but detectives found it on an auction lot in New Jersey, and it still had damage consistent with the victim's injuries. He also linked paint fragments recovered from the victim’s clothing to the defendant’s vehicle.

"The relentless and persistent efforts of Detective Guillois, over this nearly 4-month investigation, were instrumental in bringing this case to justice. His creative and thorough use of all available investigative tools were detective work at its highest level," Sarlo said.

Guillois has extensive experience. He is a 10-year veteran of the town police department, though he also served more than 10 years with the New York City Police Department, where he was also a detective and worked in vehicle crimes.

The detective is also being hailed for his work on several cases, including a 23-count indictment against a Springs landlord who was charged in June 2013 with unlawful surveillance. Donald Torr allegedly set up cameras throughout his residence and viewed tenants, including children under 17.

Also, Sarlo said Guillois made an arrest following a rash of residential burglaries in Montauk throughout the summer. Franklin Guanga–Sinchi, who has reportedly skipped bail since, was since indicted on felony charges of burglary and possession of stolen property. The arrest also closed a forcible rape case that was reported over the summer, the chief said.

"The outstanding and exemplary detective work that Jacques Guillois performed in 2013 have brought great pride to the East Hampton Town Police Department," Sarlo said.