VSP H.E.A.T. LEO Award: Officer Jennifer Ingraham earned a 2nd place LEO Award from the Virginia State Police (VSP) Seventh Division for her successful efforts in auto theft reduction in 2010.

USPCA Field Trials: Two K-9 officers placed at the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) Field Trials which test obedience agility searches and criminal apprehension. Master Police Officer Bill VanAntwerp and K-9 Hawkeye took 2nd place overall 2nd place in combined search 3rd place in obedience and 4th place in criminal apprehension. Officer Marshall Daniel and K-9 Koda took 2nd place in obedience.

Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE): Seven employees of either the Police Department or Public Safety Communications earned recognition at the seventh annual Prince William County Government SAFE awards program to recognize excellence in risk management and occupational safety and health. Chief Charlie T. Deane and Senior Lieutenant William Cox earned an award for their work in implementing vehicle-backing safety. Sergeant Eric Garza and Officer Christoper Drew earned an award for making recommendations to improve the good safety procedures for an Academy training program. Suzette Kapp and Jilana McCauley of the Animal Control Bureau earned an award for their roles in safety and process-improvement at the Animal Shelter. Sheila Ragan of Public Safety Communications earned an award for her work on the safe-backing practical exercise trainings.

USPCA Case of the Year and Case of the Quarter (Region 3): Master Police Officer Bill VanAntwerp and K-9 Hawkeye were selected as the 'Case of the Quarter' and the 'Case of the Year' for the United States Police Canine Association Region 3. They were nominated after the outstanding deployment of Hawkeye during a SWAT operation last December.

Valor Awards Prince William Chamber of Commerce: Ten Department employees and the members of the Gang Unit earned Valor Awards during the 25th annual Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Awards for acts of bravery and valor in the conduct of their duties. Officer Jonlyn Gigi received a Silver Medal. Sergeant Jason Janecek Officer Michal Jordan and Officer Matthew McCormick received Bronze Medals. Animal Control Bureau personnel Doug Norman and Kristina Spoon earned Lifesaving Merit Awards. Officer Nicholas Colella and Master Police Officer Duary Harris earned Lifesaving Awards. The Gang Unit and Officers Andrew Pittman and Adam Higgs received Investigative Merit Awards. To see the Chamber's news release click here.

 

Police Officer of the Year Award Prince William Ministerial Association: Master Police Officer John Lavely (Ret.) received this award for providing service in the community above and beyond the call of duty.

Police Officer of the Year Award Dale City Civic Association: Officer David Endrizzi was honored on Jan. 29 2011 for his hard work and responsiveness to  the wide variety of community-maintenance law enforcement issues in Dale City in 2010.

Outstanding Career Service Award: Master Police Officer John M. Lavely is the 2010 recipient of the Prince William County Police Department's Outstanding Career Service Award. Officer Lavely retired on Jan. 1 2011 after 24 years of service to the citizens of the County. The award was created in 2006 and recipients are personally selected by the Chief of Police for various criteria including having a minimum of 20 years with the Police Department and exemplifying the Department's mission and the County's vision and values. Officer Lavely is only the third police officer to receive the award.

 

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The Police Department or its members won the following awards or earned the following recognition in 2010:

FBI National Academy: Senior Lieutenant Philip Harrover a 20-year veteran of the Police Department graduated from the prestigious National Academy of the FBI at Quantico on Dec. 10 2010. He is the 45th Prince William County police officer to have attended the National Academy program since the Department's inception in 1970. Internationally known for its academic excellence the National Academy program held at the FBI Academy offers 10 weeks of advanced investigative management and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies.

2010 Law Enforcement Award of Excellence (WRAP): Officer Jeremy Schenck received this award for 'outstanding commitment in the fight against drunk driving in the Greater Washington area' from the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP).

Theodore Roosevelt Police Award: Senior Lieutenant Philip Harrover was honored on Dec. 6 2010 with the seventh annual Theodore Roosevelt Police Award which honors a deserving law enforcement officer who has overcome a serious handicap illness or injury and continues to render outstanding service to his or her department. Learn more. . .

Smooth Operator Award: First Sergeant Marty Douglas Sergeant Roland Mulligan Officer Ronald Allen and Master Police Officer Ramon Gomez were honored at the region’s annual Smooth Operator luncheon for the diligent enforcement of traffic violations during the 2009 campaign. The awards were presented by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG). The Department’s sworn members issued citations during the Smooth Operator enforcement program which targets those traffic offenses most closely associated with aggressive driving including speeding seat belt and child-safety-seat violations following too closely red-light running traffic-sign violations driving while intoxicated driving under the influence of drugs reckless driving (including passing school buses) improper passing unsafe lane changes and failing to yield.

Meritorious Service Award: The Prince William Crime Prevention Council presented its Meritorious Service Award to Officer John Lavely a School Resource Officer at Brentsville District High School. Officer Lavely joined the Department in December 1985. Over the course of his career he has been active in gang prevention drug awareness Internet awareness and threat assessment in schools. Additionally he is a member of the National Association of School Resource Officers and the Crime Prevention Association.

Crime Prevention Youth Award: The Prince William Crime Prevention Council presented its Crime Prevention Youth Award to Prince William County Police Law Enforcement Explorers Post #1268 for their active participation in the prevention of crime. Police Explorers are involved in training sessions twice a month throughout the County. These sessions familiarize its members with all aspects of law enforcement. The Explorers are involved in community service on a regular basis and it is an important element of the Post.

Manassas Kiwanis Club's Heroes Appreciation Award: Sergeant Jason Janecek Officer Michael Scarsella and Officer Michael Jordan were recognized for their actions on Jan. 10 2010 when they were flagged down by a resident who told them his townhouse was on fire. The three officers who were the first emergency responders on the scene entered the burning home and successfully evacuated eight children and four adults and searched the house twice despite heavy smoke and with no protective equipment to make sure no one was left behind. They also successfully evacuated a family with a newborn infant who lived in an adjacent townhouse. The Heroes Appreciation Awards are given to pay tribute to the men and women who serve the community in law enforcement fire and rescue emergency services and related fields.

USPCA Iron Dog Competition: Officer Marshall Daniel and K-9 Koda took 3rd place in this competition for law enforcement canines and their handlers. Eleven teams from the region participated in this event designed to test the endurance strength and agility of the K-9 teams. The course was a two-mile run over rough and steep terrain with various obstacles that had to be negotiated by the canine and the handler.

2009 Animal Care Award: Seven employees of the Department's Animal Control Bureau received the 2009 Animal Care Award of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG). They were recognized for their hard work and compassion at an awards ceremony on Oct. 1 2010. The seven members dubbed the Animal Caretaker Team are Doug Norman Animal Shelter Manager; Suzette Kapp Animal Control Head Caretaker; Kathlynn Slonaker Deputy Animal Control Officer; Animal Caretakers Jillana McCauley Kristina Spoon Lawrence O'Connor and Katherine Ferguson.

USPCA Field Trials: Three K-9 officers placed at the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) Field Trials which test obedience agility searches and criminal apprehension. Officer Bill VanAntwerp and K-9 Hawkeye took 3rd place in agility and 5th place in obedience. Officer Yost and K-9 Dante took 1st place in obedience in the Novice class. First Sergeant Pass and K-9 Audie took 2nd place in obedience in the Novice Class and 3rd place in search in the Novice class.

2009 ICE Exemplary Partnership Award: First Sergeant Mike Shelley Detectives Melvin Negron Felipe Cantu Victor Cordero and Will Colindres and Officers Donald Hoffman and Juan Sanchez received this award from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Office of Investigations (OI). 'The Director's Annual Awards Program is designed to recognize exceptional performance throughout OI in the areas of investigative accomplishments team work mission support and public service' wrote Director James A. Dinkins of ICE's Office of Investigations. The seven Prince William County police officers were selected out of more than 100 nationwide nominees. There were honored for their efforts surrounding a complex violent crime investigation involving human smuggling in April 2009.

Vanguard Award: This award is presented by the Northern Virginia Coalition of Victim Service Providers and normally honors an individual who -- by performing a single act of bravery or engaging in sustained performance -- contributed to the safety and well being of a victim or victims of crime. In this instance the decision was made to honor the entire Police Department 'for the quick decisive and skilled actions taken during the active-shooter incident at Northern Virginia Community College on Dec. 8 2009.'

VACP 2010 President's Award: Chief Charlie T. Deane was honored on August 10 2010 with the President's Award at the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP) annual awards banquet. The award was bestowed to Chief Deane 'for his many years of service to Virginia law enforcement.' Learn more.

County Executive's Awards: Ten employees of the Police Department earned County Executive's Awards on June 25 2010 -- Lieutenant Erik Barnhart Detective Thomas Canterbury Detective Will Colindres Detective Victor Cordero Sergeant Rhonda Dickson Officer Samuel Dixon Officer Donald Hoffman Detective Melvin Negron Officer Juan Sanchez and First Sergeant Michael Shelley.

Valor Awards Prince William Chamber of Commerce: Nineteen County police officers earned Valor Awards during the 24th annual Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Awards for acts of bravery and valor in the conduct of their duties. Officer Gary Mendoza received a Silver Medal. Officers Heath Oyler Brandon Fields Tiffany Hill and Joseph Westerman all earned Merit Awards. Officers Daniel Carton Adam Gardiner Mark Depatie Jennifer Ingraham Nelson Rocha and Donald Hylton each received Lifesaving Awards. Officers Donald Hoffman and Juan Sanchez Jr. and Detectives Melvin Negron Victor Cordero and William Colindres earned the Hillary Robinette Award. Investigative Merit Awards were presented to Senior Detective David Abbot Jr. Detective Cameron Crouch and Officer William Whited.

 

VASAP/MADD DUI Enforcement Award: Officers Michael Szalach Curt Redlin David Ehrhardt and Jeremy Schenck were honored by the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP) and the Northern Virginia chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) at a ceremony on May 12 2010. The four officers were recognized for their outstanding DUI enforcement efforts in the County in the previous year.

 

Risk Manager's Award: The Police Department won this County Government safety award on Feb. 25 2010 in recognition of the greatest average reduction in the severity frequency and incident rates of occupational injuries and/or illnesses.

Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE): Certified Crime Prevention Specialist John Nagel won this County Government award on Feb. 25 2010 for his hard work dedication and vision to prevent and reduce violence in the workplace by training more than 100 County government employees to be better prepared for possible acts of workplace violence.

 
Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE): Sergeant James Virgil won this County government award on Feb. 25 2010 for his responsible oversight of the physical plant and all of the related needs of the Gar-Field Station where he was the station sergeant.

Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE): Sergeant Dan Murphy Sergeant Tara Van Horn and Master Police Officer John Potter -- all of whom are Virginia certified driving instructors won this County Government award on Feb. 25 2010 for their work in the incident review process at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy driver course at the Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas.

Police Officer of the Year Award Dale City Civic Association: Sgt. Dan Crawford was honored on Jan. 31 2010 for his work on the arrest and conviction of several suspects involved in a rash of larcenies from vehicles in the Dale City area in 2009.

Hero of the Year Award Sons of the American Revolution: Officer Heath Oyler received this award on Jan. 19 2010 for his actions in rescuing an infant from a burning car when her father who was eluding police crashed his vehicle and tried to run from police leaving his infant daughter behind.

Excellence in DUI Enforcement Sons of the American Revolution: Officer Curt Redlin and Officer Dave Ehrhardt were recognized for their efforts in DUI enforcement on Jan. 19 2010.

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IACP Certificate of Recognition: Chief Charlie T. Deane received a 2009 Certificate of Recognition from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) for his efforts to protect and promote human rights through the just implementation of the 2007 Board of County Supervisors directive to the Police Department that officers check the immigration status of anyone they detained whom they also had probable cause to believe was not lawfully present in the United States.IACP's Civil Rights Committee which awarded the certificate recognizes that the protection of civil and constitutional rights is among the foremost responsibilities of police in democratic societies.

Fire & Rescue Team Member of the Month Award: Senior Sergeant Joni Jaeger was among three people honored by the County's Department of Fire & Rescue for her efforts and overwhelming success with the Child Passenger Safety Program. Senior Sergeant Jaeger and two F&R personnel were selected as that agency's Team Member of the Month for November 2009.

2009 Law Enforcement Award of Excellence (WRAP): Officers David Ehrhardt and Curt Redlin each received this award for 'outstanding commitment in the fight against drunk driving in the Greater Washington area' from the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP).

Mid-Atlantic Motorcycle Skills Competition: The Department’s Traffic Unit members earned a total of five trophies from the annual Mid-Atlantic Motorcycle Skills Competition held in Culpeper Va. in September. There were 42 competitors – some from as far away as Baton Rouge La. – in the “expert” category. Officer Robert Minnick placed 5th overall in this expert category. Master Police Officer Mike Bennett placed 13th in the same category. As a team the Traffic Unit placed 5th overall. During the slow-ride event the four-ember team placed 8th out of 18 competing teams. In the “novice” division Master Police Officer Steve Bennett placed 12th overall and Sergeant Shawn Peak placed 19th overall. In the 2009 motorcycle category Officer Scott Criss took 1st place and Officer Barry Krohn took 3rd place.

USPCA Iron Dog Competition: Officer William VanAntwerp and K-9 Hawkeye took second place in this competition for law enforcement canines and their handlers. Officer Marshall Daniel and K-9 Koda took sixth place in the competition. Fifteen teams from the region participated in this event designed to test the endurance strength and agility of the K-9 teams. The course was a two-mile run over rough and steep terrain with various obstacles that had to be negotiated by the canine and the handler. Congratulations to both teams!

Manassas Kiwanis Club's Heroes Appreciation Award: Officer Heath Oyler was recognized for his actions on Aug. 27 2009 when he saved an 8-month-old child who was left in a car seat by her father when the vehicle caught fire. The Heroes Appreciation Awards are given to pay tribute to the men and women who serve the community in law enforcement fire and rescue emergency services and related fields.

2009 VACP Lifesaving Award: The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police Lifesaving Award recognizes an officer's actions that put the officer in harm's way while attempting to save the life of another individual. The recipients from the Prince William County Police Department are Officer Cottrell Derrick and Officer Jessica Tacha.

Prince William Chamber Valor Awards: Seven members of the Prince William County Police Department received 2009 Valor Awards 'in honor of those who have served our region and its people beyond the call of duty' at a ceremony hosted by the Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce. Those honored at the 23rd Annual Valor Awards ceremony were: Henry DeGeneste a public safety training specialist with the Criminal Justice Academy; Officer Jeanne West Warrants-East; Master Police Officer Stephen Mercer E Squad-East; Officer Cottrell Derrick F Squad-East; Officer Jessica Tacha F Squad-East; Sergeant Liam Burke who was a detective in CID at the time of the incident that earned him an award; and Detective Todd Troutner CID.

Dale City Civic Association Fourth-of-July Parade Awards: The Department's Horse Mounted Patrol Unit won first place in the 'Equestrian' category. The Department's Motorcycle Unit won first place in the 'Motorcycles' category. The Department's Mobile Command Unit won first place in the 'Non-Commercial Vehicles' category and the Prince William County Public Safety Honor Guard which includes members of the Police Department's Honor Guard Unit received second place in the 'Best Color Guard Non-Military' category.

USPCA Field Trials: Officers Bill VanAntwerp Greg Moore and Marshall Daniel placed at the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) PD-1 Field Trials in Greenbelt Md. in June. Thirty-five teams from Virginia Maryland Delaware and the District of Columbia participated. The PD-1 trials involve obedience agility searches and criminal apprehension. Officer VanAntwerp and K-9 Hawkeye took 1st place in agility and 1st place in suspect/article search. The team of Officers VanAntwerp Moore and Daniel took 2nd place for Department Team. Officer Daniel and K-9 Koda took 4th place in obedience.

MADD Awards: Officers David Ehrhardt Mark Grayson Curt Redlin and Jeremy Schenck were honored by the Northern Virginia chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in May. The four officers received awards for Excellence in Service and Public Safety and were recognized for their outstanding DUI enforcement efforts in the County in 2008.

PELS Graduate Leadership Award: Major Steve Hudson graduated from the Professional Executive Leadership School (PELS) an intensive three-week liberal arts-based educational experience that focuses on the study of leadership (also in that graduating class was then-Captain Mike Crosbie). Major Hudson received the PELS Graduate Leadership Award – which is given to recognize one member of each class who has demonstrated outstanding leadership abilities. Class members vote for the person who receives this award.

FBI National Academy: Lieutenant John J. Twomey III a 24-year veteran of the Police Department graduated from the prestigious National Academy of the FBI at Quantico in March 2009. He is the 41st Prince William County police officer to have attended the National Academy program since the Department's inception in 1970. Internationally known for its academic excellence the National Academy program held at the FBI Academy offers 10 weeks of advanced investigative management and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies.

Smooth Operator Award: Officer Ronald Allen and Master Police Officer Ramon Gomez were honored at the region’s annual Smooth Operator luncheon for the diligent enforcement of traffic violations during the 2008 campaign. The awards were presented by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG). The Department’s sworn members issued citations during the Smooth Operator enforcement program which targets those traffic offenses most closely associated with aggressive driving including speeding seat belt and child-safety-seat violations following too closely red-light running traffic-sign violations driving while intoxicated driving under the influence of drugs reckless driving (including passing school buses) improper passing unsafe lane changes and failing to yield.

Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE): Public Safety Services Technician Shellie Reid received the Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE) which recognizes individuals and/or groups who have made outstanding contributions in creating or maintaining a safe and healthy workplace consistent with Risk Management policies and Prince William County's vision and values. She was presented the award at the annual Safety Awards Ceremony in early 2009. She developed a lighting inspection system for the Western District Station as well as a ice-detection system of the station's walkways and parking lots -- both in furtherance of workplace safety and a safe environment for visitors to the facility.

Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE): The Police Department received a Safe Driving Award for achieving a 21-percent average reduction in the severity frequency and incidence rate for motor vehicles in 2008 compared with the same period in 2007.

2008 Police Officer of the Year Award Dale City Civic Association: Officer Ed McDermott and Officer Matt Smith were named the Dale City Civic Association's 2008 Police Officer of the Year in January 2009.