Stafford, Va. The Stafford County Sheriff's Office held its annual awards ceremony on Thursday, May 5, 2011 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 32 honorees with awards for their actions and performance. 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. A Traffic Safety Award was given for prevention of traffic accidents and enforcement of traffic laws in Stafford County. A Leadership Award was given for leadership efforts in a particular program within the Sheriff's Office. A Community Service Award was given to citizens in Stafford County who provide exemplary service to the Sheriff's Office.

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 recommend to the Sheriff for his review and action.

The following personnel received awards:

AWARD RECIPIENTS

Detective Donald R. Lenhart is a recipient of a Letter of Commendation for his tireless work on a case involving the assault of a Stafford County Deputy. Detective Lenhart's investigation played a major role in the conviction of the suspect and his incarceration of ten years for the assault on the Stafford Deputy.

First Sergeant Ryan M. Pangretic, Sergeant David M. Stout, Deputy William T. Johnson, Deputy Lee Peters, III, Deputy Joshua Truslow and Deputy William C. Walker each receive a Letter of Commendation for their efforts in apprehending a man wanted for robbing the clerk of a local convenience store at gunpoint. These men's teamwork, astute observations and excellent law enforcement skills allowed for the swift and safe apprehension of this wanted man.

Deputy Burton W. Collins and Aquia Harbour Police Officer Tammy L. Goodwin each earned a Meritorious Award for their efforts to save a two year old child who choked on a foreign object. Although, tragically, the child did not survive, these officers were recognized for their heroic attempt in trying to resuscitate the child.

Communication Officer Andrea D. Mullen received a Letter of Commendation for her outstanding work during an "Officer Down" situation. CO Mullen exhibited the highest degree of competence, professionalism and training one can expect from a communication officer.

Detective Christopher P. Cameron is a recipient of a Letter of Commendation for his work on an Aggravated Malicious Wounding/Abduction and Attempted Rape case. Detective Cameron's investigative and interrogation skills ensured that the man charged with this terrible crime was brought to justice.

Deputy David K. Holmes and Deputy Mark E. Steininger each received a Letter of Commendation for the work they did on a robbery that took place in the northern part of the county but ended up with the apprehension of several suspects in south Stafford. Their swift actions may well have prevented additional civilians from falling victim to future acts of crime and violence.

Deputy Alexandra I. Lugo is a recipient of a Letter of Commendation from saving a baby from certain serious injury or death. The baby in this incident had fallen from a moving vehicle on a heavily travelled roadway.

Sergeant Christopher W. Reed, Sergeant Neal P. Robey, Detective Edgar L. McCullough, Deputy Alan M. Hatmaker and Deputy David A. Hughes, Jr., each received a Meritorious Award for the life saving measures they administered to a 40 year old woman who suffered cardiac arrest behind the wheel of her vehicle. This woman is alive today because of the efforts of these 5 men.

Deputy William D. Crane received a Letter of Commendation for his work in traffic safety, specifically bringing recognition to several citizens who averted serious injury, in traffic accidents, by seat belt usage.

Deputy Carol R. Burgess and Deputy Lee Peters, III each received a Letter of Commendation for their work in establishing the teen traffic safety program, Youth of Virginia Speak Out, also known as YOVASO, in our local high schools. The program focuses on traffic safety and gives students an opportunity to become involved in activities that promote safe driving.

Director Carol R. Adams, Director of the Emergency Communications Center, received a Letter of Commendation for her exemplary efforts in organizing, guiding and supervising the installation and implementation of the new radio system currently being used by the Sheriff's Office and the Fire and Rescue Department. The three year project came on line in December of 2010.

Detective John Hughes III, and Detective Thomas P. Leonard each received a Letter of Commendation for their hard work and tireless efforts in identifying and bringing to justice a homicide suspect. These two men worked for over a year to collect evidence, arrest and eventually obtain a guilty plea, for capital murder, from the murder suspect.

First Sergeant Nancy J. Morin and Deputy Tracy A. Scoggins each received a Letter of Commendation for their work in organizing the first annual D.A.R.E. basketball game between staff from the Sheriff's Office and Stafford County Public Schools. Approximately 1,500 people attended the game and over $4,000.00 was raised for the D.A.R.E. Program.

Deputy Tracy A. Scoggins received the Meritorious Award for her life saving efforts in assisting a choking victim. The victim credits Deputy Scoggins quick reaction, in performing the Heimlich maneuver, with saving her life.

Deputy Frank E. Shannon received the Meritorious Award for preventing a suicide. Deputy Shannon, a member of the Sheriff's Office Crisis Intervention Team, is trained to deal with individuals experiencing mental health issues. Deputy Shannon's actions diffused a potentially tragic situation and provided a distraught man the help he so desperately needed.

Deputy Jason J. Forman was awarded the Traffic Safety Award for the Patrol Unit for his efforts in several different areas of traffic safety prevention programs and traffic enforcement on the roads in Stafford County.

Deputy Lee Peters, III received a Letter of Commendation for his efforts in a number of different areas in traffic safety prevention programs, presentations to several organizations on traffic and motorcycle safety, traffic enforcement as well as participating in the Youth Of Virginia Speak Out teen traffic safety program.

Deputy Ricardo Rodriquez is a recipient of a Meritorious Award for performing first aid which assuredly saved the life of a co-worker who suffered a heat stroke.

Administrative Specialist Andrea N. Bingler is a recipient of a Leadership Award for her tireless, behind the scenes work with the Sheriff's Special Star Force Cadet Program. This one of a kind program was established to provide an opportunity for individuals with intellectual disabilities to experience the various duties of a law enforcement officer.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Ms. Patricia Copeland and Ms. Caryn Souza are recipients of the Community Service Award for their work with the annual summer time National Night Out Program. Their extraordinary commitment to National Night Out and willingness to volunteer the immeasurable hours needed to make this program a success is noted and appreciated.