A Bridgeport man wrongly accused of a crime was recognized in the Park City Sunday as "a hero of Black History Month."

Summerfield United Methodist Church honored 44-year-old Larry Rice.

Rice is a decorated Army veteran with no previous criminal record who was falsely accused of performing a lewd act in front of school children.

Those charges were dropped in New Haven Superior Court.

Dr. Herron Gaston, of Summerfield United Methodist Church, called the case "a classic example of racial profiling."

Mayor Joe Ganim also honoring Rice for his "courage in the face of false charges."

Ganim says the city will stand behind the respected social worker as he works to rebuild his life.