Fairfax County Police honored their finest detectives with the annual Pinnacle Awards, presented on Tuesday, Dec. 14 at the Country Club of Fairfax.
The awards ceremony was sponsored by the Fairfax County Crime Solvers, the community-oriented outreach program of the police department. Outgoing Chairman of the Crime Solvers Board Charles R. Smith hosted the event, which honored 11 detectives from various sections of the police department's Criminal Investigations Bureau.
"This really is an example of a successful partnership. We've worked together to solve crime and prevent crime," said Fairfax County Chief of Police Dave Rohrer.
Formed in 1979, the Crime Solvers is a non-profit organization run by a board of directors and funded by private donations. Through its toll-free phone number, the organization offers cash rewards for information leading to arrests. Since its inception, Crime Solvers has aided in the arrest of nearly 800 criminals and the recovery of $3.3 million in stolen property and narcotics, according to the organization's Web site.
"That means we're doing something right," said Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald Connolly (D-At-large), who spoke at Tuesday's ceremony. "We couldn't do this if we didn't have effective partners like Crime Solvers."
Honored for their service this year with Pinnacle awards were Detectives Chester Toney (Homicide section), Dan Farrell (Computer Forensics), Earl Bowers (Robbery), Paul O'Neill (Sex Crimes), Mike Cole (Financial Crimes), Eric Deane (Juvenile Fugitive), James Williams (Auto Theft), James Agnew (Fugitive), Mark Garman (Crime Scene), Larry Henderson (Criminal Intelligence) and Mike Scanlon (Gang Unit).
Prior to the awards, representatives from the Milk-Bone brand dog treat company and Wegmans Food Markets presented the FCPD with a check for $5,000, toward the purchase of a new dog for the department's K-9 unit.
"We have exceptional dogs. They're our partners, and part of our family," said Rohrer, receiving the check.
Jim Clifton also stepped in for outgoing chairman of the Crime Solvers Board Charlie Smith and presented Smith with a plaque.