State Honors Livermore Detective

Steve Goard could have taken the case for what it was reported to be, an infant who suffocated to death after his mother accidentally rolled on top of him while she was sleeping.

But then he wouldn't have been doing his job.

Goard spent 13 months investigating the 2009 death of two-month old Gary Sterling. His investigation found that the infant's mother, Jessica Adams, was a habitual methamphetamine user who went on a four-day binge before she fell asleep on her baby.

"She didn't intentionally kill her child, but the way I looked at it was what’s the difference between (what she did) and someone who gets drunk, gets in a car and strikes a pedestrian?" Goard said. "No one was going to represent this boy. I felt that I did that. I gave him a voice."

His efforts were recognized last month by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, which presented Goard with the Investigative Excellence Award.

Detectives who receive this award are commended for innovative investigative efforts, tenacity, use of modern technology and demonstration of leadership throughout their investigation, officials said.

Goard was one of three in the state to receive the award.

His investigation led to Adams being charged in the homicide. She pled guilty and was sentenced to six years in prison, Goard said.

"This case was very important to our unit," he said. "I'm really excited to be honored. It was a hard case."