Nine Fairfax County Police officers from the Mount Vernon Station were recognized for their bravery during the annual Valor Awards held last Thursday at the McLean Hilton Hotel. Also honored was Captain Clayton Thompson Jr., and Lieutenant Chester E. Waters, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Kingstowne Station.
All nine Mount Vernon Station police officers were involved in the apprehension of “an armed robber in May 2005” who had been targeting home improvement stores in Northern Virginia, according to their citations. Also cited by the award committee was “Toby,” a police K9 partner of Master Police Officer John D. Brocco, who participated in arrest of the armed suspect.
Officers awarded the Bronze Medal of Valor were Second Lieutenant Michael L. Connor, Sergeant Paul Thompson, MPO John D. Brocco, Police Officers First Class Keith J. Baker, Jonathan J. Bobel, Sean M. Broderick, Edward F. Hanko III, and Officers Brandon C. McAleese and Anthony N. Taormina.
In speaking for the Mount Vernon Station and Captain Michael Kline, commander, Lieutenant Shawn Bennett, deputy commander, said, “Captain Kline and I are very proud of our police officers who were recognized at the 28th Annual Valor Awards.”
Captain Thompson and Lieutenant Waters, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, were awarded Certificates of Valor for their efforts to revive a victim of a car/tractor-trailer crash July 23, 2005 on Route 301 just north of Fort A.P.Hill, according to the award nomination.
Their life saving efforts at CPR and mount-to-mouth respirations were performed without protective gear on the side of a busy road after coming upon the accident while traveling to Richmond. They were assisted in their efforts by the truck driver and another motorist until two EMS units arrived to transport the unconscious patient to a nearby hospital.
In making the award, the committee stated, “Captain Thompson and Lieutenant Waters took great personal risk in performing CPR on the side of a busy interstate with no protection from oncoming traffic. They rendered medical assistance to an unconscious, pulseless, and apneic patient without any Personal Protective Equipment. They exposed themselves to pathogenic microorganisms which can cause potentially infectious disease.”