Stafford law enforcement officers honored with awards

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office held its annual awards ceremony on Thursday, May 21, 2015 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 Charles 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 50 honorees with awards for their actions and performance. The 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. The Commendation Award was given in the instances in which a Sheriff’s Office member demonstrated exemplary service. A Traffic Safety Award was given to two deputies for traffic safety prevention, education and enforcement. A Community Award was given to two citizens for their long time support of the Sheriff’s Office. A Unit Citation Award was given for overall excellence during a specific event or incident.

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 RECEPIENTS 

Deputy First Class Walter O’Neal II is a recipient of the Traffic Safety Award for the Traffic Safety Unit for overall excellence in traffic safety and traffic safety education.

Deputy First Class Brandon Gates is a recipient of the Traffic Safety Award for Patrol Unit for his continuing work to help ensure that the roads in Stafford County are safe for motorists.

Chaplain Ron Thayer is a recipient of a Letter of Commendation for his many years of tireless service to the men and women of the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office.

Sergeant Brandon Morris, Master Deputy Thomas Grasso, Deputy Aaron Siegel and Deputy Brandon Boyle are recipients of a Letter of Commendation for their effort in arresting a career criminal.

Deputy First Class Gregory Haney is a recipient of a Meritorious Award for preventing a man from taking his own life.

Detective 1^st Sergeant Eric Quinn, Deputy First Class Elizabeth Smith, Detective Robert Parsons and Deputy Dominic Torrice are recipients of Meritorious Award and the Mary Washington Healthcare Save of Life Award for their efforts in saving a life using CPR and CPR and an AED.

Assistant Communications Supervisor Natalie Satuloff, Master Telecommunicator Karen Roy, Telecommunicator 1 Cristina Rios Moya and Telecommunicator Sarah Nicely received a Letter of Commendation for their combined quick team work that saved a life.

Deputy Joshua “Bo” Truslow is a recipient of a Letter of Commendation for his work in arresting two Breaking & Entering suspects as they committed their crime.

Sergeant Dimas Pinzon is a recipient of a Letter of Commendation for his efforts in catching individuals responsible for numerous larcenies from vehicles.

Deputy First Class Joseph Floirendo is a recipient of a Meritorious Award for the arrest of a wanted criminal. Sergeant Daniel Purcell is a recipient of a Letter of Commendation for his timely assistance with the arrest of a wanted criminal.

Deputy First Class Joseph Floirendo and Deputy Justin Powell received a Letter of Commendation for their efforts in solving numerous larcenies from vehicles.

ECC Training Coordinator Christopher Conley, Master Telecommunicator Angela McIlwain, Master Telecommunicator Andrea Mullen, Telecommunicator 1 Stacy Ober, Telecommunicator 1 James Rector, Master Telecommunicator Tammy Tolson and Telecommunicator 1 Theresa Waggy are awarded a unit Citation for their combined efforts in handling two bank robbery calls in addition to multiple additional calls within the same time period.

Deputy First Class Jason Kreider and Deputy Gregory Gabrielli are awarded a Letter of Commendation for arresting a violent felon.

Detective Sergeant Christopher Cameron, Detective First Class Robert Dembowski and Detective Barry Surles are awarded a Letter of Commendation for bringing a serial bank robber to justice.

Detective Sergeant Christopher Cameron and Detective Barry Surles are awarded a Letter of Commendation for their abilities in investigating and solving a robbery.

Deputy Justin White is a recipient of a Letter of Commendation for the arrest of a suspect linked to numerous break-ins along the Route 1 corridor.

Master Detective James Fouts is the recipient of a Letter of Commendation for his work in starting an investigation that led to the shutting down of an organized crime operation.