Alexandria Chamber Honors Public Safety Heroes

PHOTO: Public safety personnel were honored Wednesday at the 30th annual Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Valor Awards luncheon. Photo courtesy of Chamber

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ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Sixteen public safety personnel were recognized Wednesday at the 30th Annual Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Valor Awards Luncheon, according to a news release from the Chamber.

The event is one of the most popular on the Chamber calendar as it celebrates true community spirit. Attendees included Mayor Silberberg, Councilmember Del Pepper, City Manager Mark Jinks, and former Mayors Bill Euille and Kerry Donley, the Chamber noted.

According to Joe Haggerty, President & CEO of the Chamber: “During times of exceptional peril to Alexandria’s citizens, and to themselves personally, these safety professionals find within them the courage to remain true to their values and apply their skills and competencies to the dangers at hand. It is our privilege to honor these heroes.”

The honorees for 2016 are as follows:

Alexandria Sheriff’s Office

• Deputy Manuel Lee: Life Saving Award
• Deputy Myrna Juarez: Life Saving Award
• Deputy Devon Neckles: Life Saving Award
• Deputy Cinie Bearden: Life Saving Award
• Deputy Sheriff III Joseph Runquist: Life Saving Award

Alexandria Police Department

• Officer Richard Vergara: Silver Medal
• Officer Matthew Barnickle: Silver Medal
• Officer Alexa Mastrostefano: Life Saving Award
• Sergeant Patrick Taylor: Certificate of Valor
• Officer Carl Stowe: Life Saving Award
• Officer Jonattan Lopez: Life Saving Award
• Sergeant Daniel Plank: Certificate of Valor
• Officer Stephen Riley: Bronze Medal

Alexandria Fire Department

• Firefighter Kristina Holt: Life Saving Award
• Captain Jason Wehmeyer: Life Saving Award
• Captain Wells Wilson: Certificate of Valor

NBC4 morning anchor Eun Yang emceed the event, attended by community and business leaders.

“One of the reasons Alexandria is an attractive place to do business is because of the commitment of the extraordinary men and women in this room. Without them and what they do, our community would not be safe for business or for living. By working to ensure we live in a society that prioritizes public safety, education, and innovation, entrepreneurship can thrive and create a better community for all,” Haggerty said.

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