MANASSAS, Va. — On Wednesday, March 28 the Prince William Chamber of Commerce hosted the Prince William Valor Awards at Foxchase Manor in Manassas. Now in its 26th year, the Awards serve as an opportunity for the business community to honor the public safety professionals who do so much to protect lives and property throughout the Prince William region.
Brian Van de Graaf, ABC 7/WJLA TV & News Channel 8 narrated the inspiring stories of the award recipients. Attendees took home a commemorative program telling the inspiring stories of the Valor Award recipients.
Addressing the crowd of more than 400 Valor Awards attendees, Lucy Beauchamp, Chairman of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce said, “In every community, we depend on the men and women who answer the alarms and those whose first act of bravery is taking the oath to serve. All these professionals give their fellow citizens peace of mind, the moral certainty that when the need arises someone will be there to confront the violent, to search for the trapped and helpless, and very frequently to go directly into the face of danger.
Chamber President & CEO Rob Clapper also expressed his thanks to the public safety heroes, congratulating the winners and welcoming their guests and family members. His remarks included the reading of a congratulatory letter sent by United States Senator Mark Warner.
During the ceremony, Valor Awards were given to two task forces and thirty-five individuals representing police, fire and rescue workers in Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. Of note was the fact that two Gold Medals for Valor were awarded; only 16 have been awarded in the program’s 26 year history.
Lieutenant William Cox and Officer William Dalton of the Prince William County Police Department both received Gold Medals for risking their own lives to save a drowning diver in April of 2011. Following a training exercise at the Fredericksburg Quarry the team noticed a diver from another team struggling to stay above the surface of the water. The two rushed into the 42 degree water, swimming nearly 80 yards to bring the man to shore. They were assisted by First Sergeant Mike Hustawayte who was honored with a Silver Medal for Valor.
Valor Awards winnersÂ
Lieutenant William Cox–Gold Medal
Prince William County Police Dept.
Officer William Dalton- Gold Medal
Prince William County Police Dept.
1st Sergeant Mike Hustwayte- Silver Medal
Prince William County Police Dept.
Lieutenant John Twomey- Silver Medal
Prince William County Police Dept.
Officer John Clair- Silver Medal
Prince William County Police Dept.
Officer Richard Visconti- Silver Medal
Prince William County Police Dept.
Officer Matthew Anderson- Silver Medal
Prince William County Police Dept.
Officer Charles Kincheloe- Silver Medal
Prince William County Police Dept.
Colonel Douglas Keene- Silver Medal
Manassas City Police Dept.
Sergeant Thomas Rodriguez- Silver Medal
Manassas City Police Dept.
Officer Derrick Black- Silver Medal
Manassas City Police Dept.
Officer Chris Shields- Silver Medal
Manassas City Police Dept.
Rescue 502- Silver Medal
Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton (OWL) Volunteer Fire Dept.
Engine/Boat 517- Silver Medal
Prince William County Dept. of Fire & Rescue
Boat 507- Silver Medal
Lake Jackson Volunteer Fire Dept.
Relief Boat 507- Silver Medal
Lake Jackson Volunteer Fire Dept.
Trooper Justin H. Stubblefield-Bronze Medal
Virginia State Police
Technician II Michael Moore- Bronze Medal
Prince William County Dept. of Fire & Rescue
Technician I Blake Yowell – Bronze Medal
Prince William County Dept. of Fire & Rescue
Officer Chad Mason- Lifesaving Award
Prince William County Police Dept.
James Shelton- Lifesaving Award
Prince William County Police Dept. (Retired)
Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force-Investigative Merit Award
Regional
Prince William County Street Crimes Unit- Investigative Merit Award
Prince William County Police Dept.
Detective Joshua Wehmeyer- Hillary Robinette Award
Prince William County Police Dept.
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