Outstanding personnel from Mount Vernon and Franconia Police Stations, local Fire Stations, and Fort Belvoir Public Safety were recognized at the annual Police & Fire Fighters Tribute hosted by Mount Vernon Lee Chamber of Commerce. Tisara Photography / Steven Halp
Officers from the Mount Vernon and Franconia Police Stations — along with first responders from the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department and their counterparts on Fort Belvoir — were recognized at the 9th Annual Police & Fire Fighters Tribute on Friday, Nov. 18, at the Hilton Springfield Hotel.
Media personality Jonathan Elias, WJLA/ABC7, entertained the guests as he presented awards to 23 local public safety personnel.
“Mount Vernon Lee Chamber of Commerce is proud to host this community celebration and recognize the service rendered by our police, firefighters, and first responders,” said Scott Stroh III, chamber vice president and executive director of Gunston Hall.
“They keep our community safe and provide a great service to individual, families, and businesses,” Stroh said.
Award recipients from the Mount Vernon Police Station were Supervisor of the Year, Sergeant Michael Wheeler; Detective of the Year, Jonathan Hartle; Police Officer of the Year, PFC Thomas Duffy; Meritorious Service Award, MPO Robert Urps; and Auxiliary Police Officer Carol Might.
Award recipients from the Franconia Police Station were Supervisor of the Year, 2nd Lt. Timothy M. Forrest; Auxiliary Police Officer of the Year, Richard R. Majauskas; Meritorious Service Award, 2nd Lt. Patrick J. Ronan; Police Officer of the Year, PFC Daniel A. Houtz; and Detective of The Year, MPO Richard R. Henry.
Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department recognized Volunteer Firefighter Anna Morgan; Company Officer of the Year, Captain Leroy “Sam” Butler; Meritorious Service Award, James “Jimmy” Low; EMT / Firefighter of the Year, Michael Guck; and Firefighter of the Year, Technician James “Brodie” McKendree. Butler also received a plaque for 30 years of service with Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department.
Lt. Col. Christopher Tomlinson, Battalion Commander at Fort Belvoir, represented the Installation in recognizing outstanding personnel. Those recognized from the Fort Belvoir Police Department were Security Guard of the Year Veronica Jones; Traffic Officer of the Year Blas Conrad Robert; Patrol Officer of the Year Christopher Metcalf; Detective of the Year Lisa C. Caicedo; and Supervisor of the Year Ronald L. Horne II.
The Fort Belvoir Fire Department presented awards to Firefighter of the Year Phillip Neith; Firefighter Medic Mike Estes; and Company Commander of the Year Stephen A. McDoniel.