Photo by Massachusetts State Police

By Steve Klamkin WPRO News

The bombing at the Boston Marathon was a primary topic Thursday, as Rhode Island State Police paid tribute to members of their department who offered aid in the wake of the deadly blast.

The Special Agent In Charge of the FBI Boston office, Richard DesLauriers was among officials presenting special awards to Troopers Roupen Bastajian and Meredith L. Zenowich.

“I can’t comment on the specifics of the investigation, I apologize,” said DesLauriers, when asked about the note that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is reported to have scrawled on the inside of the boat where he was found following a standoff with law enforcement personnel in a Watertown, Massachusetts back yard, days after the bombing that claimed three lives and a wild shootout with police.

“It’s an ongoing federal investigation, I can’t comment on specifics of it. I apologize, but I can’t,” said DesLauriers, who is an attorney. Nor would he comment on whether Katherine Russell, widow of dead bomb suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev, is cooperating with authorities after hiring a New York attorney who specializes in terrorism cases.

“No, I can’t,” said DesLauriers, adding, “A pending, investigation, I’m sure you understand.”

Special Agent In Charge of the FBI Boston office Richard DesLauriers.
Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News