Police Officers Promoted

Police Chief Charlie T. Deane is pleased announce the following promotions of sworn staff:

First Sergeant Javid C. Elahi to Lieutenant

First Sergeant Dawn M. Harman to Lieutenant

First Sergeant Scott A. Vago to Lieutenant

Sergeant William M. Burke to First Sergeant

Sergeant Steven P. Chouinard to First Sergeant

Sergeant Matthew J. McCauley to First Sergeant

Sergeant Daniel J. Murphy to First Sergeant

Sergeant Michael T. Sullivan to First Sergeant

Detective Bradford J. Cavender to Sergeant

Officer Joseph T. Dombrowski to Sergeant

Detective Ashley M. Gwinn-Sheldon to Sergeant

Officer Michael J. Headrick to Sergeant

Officer Stephen C. Mercer to Sergeant

Officer Joe N. Robinson III to Sergeant

Detective Jeffrey W. Sheldon to Sergeant

Detective Bartholomew J. Stromer to Sergeant

Chief Deane is also pleased to announce the following civilian promotions:

Crossing Guard Antoinette S. Johnston to Crossing Guard Sergeant

Telecommunicator II Mary M. Bolen to Telecommunicator III

Telecommunicator I Leman A. Jessel to Telecommunicator II

Lieutenant Javid C. Elahi
Lieutenant Elahi has more than 15 years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince William County Police Department. He joined the Department in 1996, beginning his career as a patrol officer assigned to the Operations Division. In 2001, Lieutenant Elahi was assigned to serve as the Department’s Mobile Data Computer (MDC) Coordinator. He is a graduate of the West Point Leadership Course. Since 2003, Lieutenant Elahi has been assigned to the Office of the Chief of Police, as the MDC & Radio Coordinator. Lieutenant Elahi graduated from Gar-Field Senior High School and is continuing his education at Northern Virginia Community College, studying public organizational management. Lieutenant Elahi is assigned to the Financial & Technical Services Division and he will head the Information Technology Management Bureau.

Lieutenant Dawn M. Harman
Lieutenant Harman has 17½ years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince William County Police Department. Hired in 1994, she began her career as a patrol officer assigned to the Operations Division, where she was also a Crime Scene Technician and a Field Training Officer. During her career, Lieutenant Harman has also served as a Crime Prevention Officer, a Civil Disturbance Team member, a member of the Critical Incident Stress Management Team, and a Patrol Sergeant. Lieutenant Harman served as Accreditation Manager for the Department through the 2009 accreditation cycle and she has been the Director of the Animal Control Bureau since 2010. Lieutenant Harman is a graduate of the West Point Leadership Course and the Leading, Educating and Developing (LEAD) program at the University of Virginia. Lieutenant Harman graduated from West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in animal and veterinary science, and she holds a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University. Lieutenant Harman will continue in her assignment as the Director of the Animal Control Bureau.

Lieutenant Scott A. Vago
Lieutenant Vago has 17 years of law enforcement experience, having started with the U.S. Capitol Police in 1994. He joined the Prince William County Police Department in 1995, beginning his career as a patrol officer assigned to the Operations Division, where he was also a Crime Scene Technician and a Field Training Officer. During his career, Lieutenant Vago has also served on the Marine Patrol Unit, as a Basic Recruit Instructor and as a Patrol Sergeant. He is a graduate of the Institute for Leadership in Changing Times at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and the Leading, Educating and Developing (LEAD) program at the University of Virginia. Most recently, Lieutenant Vago was assigned to the Internal Affairs Bureau. Lieutenant Vago graduated from George Mason University with a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement, and he holds a master’s degree in liberal studies with a concentration in leadership and management from Mary Washington University. Lieutenant Vago is assigned as Patrol Watch Commander for F-Squad, East.

First Sergeant William M. Burke
First Sergeant Burke has more than 11 years of law enforcement experience, starting as a deputy with the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office in 2000. He joined the Prince William County Police Department in 2002, beginning his career as a patrol officer assigned to the Operations Division. During his career, First Sergeant Burke has also served as a Detective in the Special Investigations Bureau and as a supervisor of the Crime Prevention Unit. First Sergeant Burke is a member of and Coordinator for the Crisis Negotiation Team. He is a graduate of the West Point Leadership Course and was most recently assigned as a supervisor for the Youth Services and Special Victims Bureau. Sergeant Burke graduated from East Paterson Memorial High School in New Jersey and served in the United States Marine Corps. He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in administration of justice from Penn Foster College. First Sergeant Burke will be assigned to the Special Victims Unit.

First Sergeant Steven P. Chouinard
First Sergeant Chouinard has more than 12 years of law enforcement experience, starting as a deputy with the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office in 1998. He joined the Prince William County Police Department in 2001, beginning his career as a patrol officer assigned to the Operations Division. During his career, First Sergeant Chouinard has also served as a Field Training Officer, a member of the Search and Rescue Team, a Burglary Unit Detective, and as a Juvenile Bureau supervisor. He is a graduate of the West Point Leadership Course. Most recently, First Sergeant Chouinard was assigned as a supervisor for C-Squad, West. First Sergeant Chouinard graduated from Westfield State College with a bachelor’s degree in criminology. First Sergeant Chouinard will remain assigned to C-Squad, West.

First Sergeant Matthew J. McCauley
First Sergeant McCauley has 14 years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince William County Police Department. Hired in 1997, he began his career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division where he served as a Field Training Officer. During his career, First Sergeant McCauley has also served as a Street Crimes Detective, a Basic Recruit Instructor, and a Patrol Sergeant. He is a graduate of the West Point Leadership Course and was most recently assigned as a sergeant in the Special Investigations Bureau. First Sergeant McCauley graduated from Junction City High School in Kansas and he served in the United States Marine Corps. He is continuing his education at Northern Virginia Community College, studying administration of justice. First Sergeant McCauley is assigned to F-Squad, East.

First Sergeant Daniel J. Murphy
First Sergeant Murphy has nearly 10 years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince William County Police Department. Hired by the Prince William County Police Department in 2001, First Sergeant Murphy began as a patrol officer assigned to the Operations Division. During his career, First Sergeant Murphy has also served as a Field Training Officer, a Basic Recruit Instructor, Station Sergeant, Patrol Sergeant and supervisor for the Intelligence Unit. He is a graduate of the West Point Leadership Course and was most recently assigned as a sergeant in the Special Investigations Bureau. First Sergeant Murphy graduated from George Mason University with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education. He holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Virginia and was a public school teacher for four years before joining the Police Department. First Sergeant Murphy will be assigned to D-Squad, West.

First Sergeant Michael T. Sullivan
First Sergeant Sullivan has 13 years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince William County Police Department. Hired in 1998, he began his career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division. During his career, First Sergeant Sullivan has also served as a Field Training Officer and a Detective in the Street Crimes Unit. First Sergeant Sullivan has been a member of the SWAT Team since 2002. He is a graduate of the West Point Leadership Course and was most recently assigned to F-Squad, East. Sergeant Sullivan graduated from Gar-Field Senior High School and is continuing his studies at Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University. First Sergeant Sullivan will be assigned to the Academy as the In-Service Training Coordinator.

Sergeant Bradford J. Cavender
Sergeant Cavender has seven years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince William County Police Department. Hired in 2004, he began his career as a patrol officer assigned to the Operations Division, where he also served as a Crime Scene Technician and a Field Training Officer. During his career, Sergeant Cavender has served as a Detective in the Crimes Against Children Unit and his most recent assignment was to the Robbery Unit. Sergeant Cavender graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a bachelor’s degree in history. He is pursuing a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University. Sergeant Cavender will be assigned to B-Squad, East.

Sergeant Joseph T. Dombrowski
Sergeant Dombrowski has eight years of law enforcement experience, serving first as a police officer with the City of Houston, Texas. Hired by the Prince William County Police Department in 2005, Sergeant Dombrowski began his career as a patrol officer assigned to the Operations Division, where he also served as a Crime Scene Technician. He has served as a member of the SWAT Team since 2008. Since 2007, Sergeant Dombrowski has served in the Forensic Services Unit as a Crime Scene Analyst. Sergeant Dombrowski graduated from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas, with a bachelor’s degree in quantitative methods in computer science. Sergeant Dombrowksi will be assigned to C-Squad, West.

Sergeant Ashley M. Gwinn-Sheldon
Sergeant Gwinn-Sheldon has more than nine years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince William County Police Department. Hired in 2002, she began her career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division. During her career, Sergeant Gwinn-Sheldon has also served as a Detective in the Burglary and Property Crime Units; and she has been a member of the Horse Mounted Patrol Unit since 2005. Sergeant Gwinn-Sheldon’s most recent assignment was as a Background Investigator for the Personnel Bureau. A graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, Sergeant Gwinn-Sheldon is assigned to F-Squad, West.

Sergeant Michael J. Headrick
Sergeant Headrick has 16 years of law enforcement experience, having served as a United States Marine Corps military police officer before joining the Prince William County Police Department. While still a military police officer, Sergeant Headrick graduated from Basic Recruit Session 7 of the Prince William County Criminal Justice Academy. Upon his separation from the Marine Corps in 2001, he joined the Police Department. Sergeant Headrick began his career with Prince William County as a patrol officer assigned to the Operations Division where he also served as a Crime Scene Technician and a Field Training Officer. He has served as a member of the SWAT Team since 2006 and his most recent assignment has been as a Basic Recruit Training Instructor. Sergeant Headrick has an associate’s degree in administration of justice from Northern Virginia Community College and he is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Bluefield College. Sergeant Headrick is assigned to E-Squad, East.

Sergeant Stephen C. Mercer
Sergeant Mercer has 21 years of law enforcement experience, having served as a United States Marine Corps military police officer before joining the Prince William County Police Department. While still a military police officer, Sergeant Mercer graduated from Basic Recruit Session 1 of the Prince William County Criminal Justice Academy. Upon his separation from the Marine Corps in 1996, he joined the Police Department. Sergeant Mercer began his career with Prince William County as a patrol officer assigned to the Operations Division. As a patrol officer, he has served on all three shifts, as a Crime SceneTechnician, and as a Field Training Officer. Sergeant Mercer was also a member of the SWAT Team until 2003. Before his promotion, he was assigned to B-Squad, East. He is a graduate of Bluefield College with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration. Sergeant Mercer is assigned to D-Squad, West.

Sergeant Joe N. Robinson
Sergeant Robinson has 13 years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince WilliamCounty Police Department. Hired in 1998, he began his career as a patrol officer in theOperations Division where he also served as a Field Training Officer. During his career, Sergeant Robinson has served as an Investigator with the Crash Investigation Unit, where he has been assigned since 2003. During this time, he has also assisted the Personnel Bureau as a part-time background investigator. He graduated from National-Louis University with a bachelor’s degree in business management. Sergeant Robinson is assigned to C-Squad, West.

Sergeant Jeffrey W. Sheldon
Sergeant Sheldon has more than 10 years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince William County Police Department. Hired in 2001, he began his career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division, where he also served as a Field Training Officer. During his career, Sergeant Sheldon has also served as a Detective in the Special Investigations Bureau. He has most recently been working as a Money Laundering Detective while also in charge of all technical equipment for the Special Investigations Bureau. He graduated from Mary Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in history. Sergeant Sheldon is assigned to F-Squad, East.

Sergeant Bartholomew J. Stromer
Sergeant Stromer has eight years of law enforcement experience, having served one year as a deputy with the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office prior to joining the Prince William County Police Department. Hired in 2004, Sergeant Stromer began his career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division. During his career, he has also served as a Detective in the Special Investigations Bureau and as a member of the Crisis Negotiation Team. Most recently, Sergeant Stromer served on the Northern Virginia Gang Task Force. He has an associate’s degree from the ECPI College of Technology in Virginia Beach. Sergeant Stromer is assigned to B-Squad, West.

Crossing Guard Sergeant Antoinette S. Johnston
Sergeant Johnston has been a Prince William County Police Crossing Guard since 1995. During her tenure, she has also served as a Parking Enforcement Officer and as a Crossing Guard Coordinator’s Assistant. Sergeant Johnston is a graduate of Brentsville District High School in Nokesville. She is currently assigned as Crossing Guard Coordinator for the Dale City area.

Telecommunicator III Mary M. Bolen
Ms. Bolen was hired in May 2002 as an Animal Caretaker with the Prince William County Police Department’s Animal Control Bureau. In 2007, she transferred to the Prince William County Office of Public Safety Communications as a Telecommunicator I. Ms. Bolen was promoted to Telecommunicator II in June 2009. Ms. Bolen is a graduate of Potomac Senior High School in Woodbridge.

Telecommunicator II Leman A. Jessel
Mr. Jessel was hired in 2009 as a Telecommunicator I for the Prince William County Office of Public Safety Communications, after owning and operating his own business for several years. He was promoted to Telecommunicator II in May 2011. Mr. Jessel is a graduate of Strayer University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration. He also holds an associate’s degree in business administration, an associate’s degree in business management, and an associate’s degree in liberal arts – all from Northern Virginia Community College.

-Prince William police