Stafford, Va. The Stafford County Sheriff's Office held its annual awards ceremony on Thursday, May 14, 2009 to honor law enforcement personnel who have provided exemplary service to the community.

"Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to serve and protect the citizens of Stafford," said Sheriff Jett. "The awards ceremony is an opportunity to formally acknowledge their extraordinary efforts and show our appreciation for their hard work and dedication."

Sheriff Charles Jett presented 30 honorees with awards for their actions and performance. A Silver Star was awarded in instances where a Sheriff's Office member knowingly exposes himself or herself to great personal risk on the performance of an official act. A Meritorious Award was given for emergencies in which a Sheriff's Office member demonstrated judgment, ingenuity or performance that clearly exceeds what is required and expected. A Commendation Award was given in the instances in which a Sheriff's Office member demonstrated exemplary service.

Individuals were selected by an Awards Committee consisting of personnel from the Operations, Criminal Investigations and Civil//Court Divisions and the Public Information Office. Individuals were nominated by other deputies or personnel of the Sheriff's Office. The committee evaluated the nominations based on the following criteria: bravery and heroism; exemplary performance which directly resulted in the solution of a major crime or crimes, or apprehension of a particularly dangerous criminal; and exceptional performance. The committee forwarded all nominations that they recommended for wards to the Sheriff for his review and action.

The following personnel received awards:

AWARD RECEPIENTS

1st. Sergeant George Bond and Deputy Nicholas Chiappini each received the Silver Star Award for risking their lives while approaching a vehicle that held a hostage and a subject with a gun, without cover, and removing the hostage from the vehicle. 1st. Sergeant Joseph Pittman and Sergeant Nelson each received a Silver Star Award for entering the suspect's field of fire, and gaining control of the suspect using less lethal weapons.

1st. Sergeant Brian Jacobs, Corporal Robert Pomeroy, Deputy Thomas Grasso and Deputy Brian Miller each received a Meritorious Award for their combined efforts in stopping and eventually apprehending a suspect who had committed two armed abductions and was holding off law enforcement officers with a gun, while he sat in his car.

Deputy Renzo Beltran and Deputy John Wright each received a Letter of Commendation for their work which resulted in the shutting of a crack distribution network and the seizure of narcotics and an illegal firearm.

Detective Vernon Galyen, Detective Todd Nosal, Detective Chadwick Oxley and Deputy Renzo Beltran each received a Letter of Commendation for their work on a drug investigation which resulted in a 55 year prison sentence for a major drug dealer, as well as guilty verdicts for 18 co-defendants.

Detective Vernon Galyen, and Detective Chadwick Oxley each received a Letter of Commendation for their tireless work on a drug investigation which spanned from 2004- 2008. These two officers pursued this case even when assigned to other units.

1st. Sergeant Ray Davis received a Letter of Commendation for his work on a fraudulent check case which ultimately led to the arrest of the suspect who was also wanted for murder in another state.

Communications Officer Tammy Embrey received a Letter of Commendation for her efforts that saved a victim, who had called 911, from serious illness or death.

Deputy William Johnson received a Letter of Commendation for his outstanding efforts during the "Drugged and Drunk Driving Campaign." During the 2008 Campaign Deputy Johnson took the most drunk and drugged drivers off the roads of Stafford County.

Deputy James Kingman received a Letter of Commendation for his Traffic Safety efforts during 2008. Deputy Kingman received an award from the Smooth Operator Program and also issued 560 traffic citations in 2008.

Detective Donald Lenhart received a Letter of Commendation for his work on a sexual abuse case involving a man who abused his 9 year old daughter. Detective Lenhart's work resulted in a felony conviction of 24 years for this man who preyed on his own child.

1st. Sergeant Ryan Pangretic, Deputy Michael Shepherd and Deputy William Walker each received a Letter of Commendation for their efforts that led to the apprehension of an individual who had broken into a bank. The suspect had eluded capture for over a year and was tied to at least seven other bank break-ins.

Sergeant Christopher Reed, Deputy Burton Collins and Deputy Alan Hatmaker each received a Letter of Commendation for their work in apprehending four subjects who had committed a number of residential breaking and enterings. Their efforts shut down a burglary ring responsible for over 30 burglaries in a neighboring jurisdiction.

Deputy Martin Stotts received a Letter of Commendation for his efforts in locating and capturing a felon wanted on several charges including child endangerment and Felony Eluding. The suspect had eluded capture for over a month and vowed he would not be taken alive and would do anything to escape capture.

Communications Officer Latissue Toles received a Letter of Commendation for her exemplary work in handling a 911 call regarding an intoxicated man with a gun. CO Toles stayed on the line with the man for over 3 hours in an effort to calm him down. During this time Patrol Units were able to get his wife out of the residence and to safety.

Deputy Wallace Johnson received a Letter of Commendation for his outstanding years of service to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office. Deputy Johnson has become the symbol of the D.A.R.E. Program to thousands of students, parents and school faculty members.