Valor Awards Honor Heroic Acts Of Fairfax Public Safety Personnel

RESTON, VA — Fairfax County public safety personnel, as well as a police officer from France, were recently honored for heroic actions they performed while putting themselves at great personal risk.

They each received medals during the 47th Annual Valor Awards Ceremony, which took place April 7 at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles Hotel in Chantilly.

Hosted by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, the annual awards honor public safety personnel who went above and beyond.

“The Silver Medal of Valor is presented in recognition of actions involving great personal risk above and beyond the routine call of duty,” said Joey Musmar, managing partner of MillerMusmar, an award sponsor. “Today's honorees place themselves at true personal risk in responding to one of the more dangerous, not to mention physically and emotionally trying emergency scenes in recent memory.”.

Lt. Daniel Hahn, retired Technician John Woodward, and Firefighters Dave Bulaski, Luiz Costa, James Welling and Christopher Wolf of Fairfax County Fire & Rescue each received a Silver Medal of Honor for their heroic actions responding to a residential structure collapse in January 2024.

"These firefighters, along with other members of their respective units, were sent to the west Centreville area of Fairfax County, where a vehicle had driven into the living quarters of a split level residence," said NBC4 Reporter Joseph Olmo, the award ceremony’s emcee. “The accident left the residence structurally unstable. It created a highly dangerous environment to enter.

“Firefighters, Welling, Costa and Wolf worked together to rescue the two individuals who were trapped inside that car that had crashed into the home. With limited space to work and the high-risk of a secondary collapse, these officers were able to tunnel through the back of the vehicle and safely extract the vehicle occupants who had sustained significant injuries."

While that was going on, Han, Woodward and Bulaski worked together to rescue a woman, who was unaccounted following the home collapse.

"Her last known location was upstairs in an office and no confirmation as to her current condition or exact location in the dwelling," Olmo said. "The officers used a 16-foot ground ladder to gain access to the second floor. The location of the trapped individual was quickly identified and she was safely removed from the premises. She was rescued. Five other members of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department have been recognized with lifesaving awards for their role in this incident and for their efforts today which placed each of them in grave risk of personal injury.”

Cherylyn LeBon, chairman of the board for Visit Fairfax, introduced the Bronze Medal of Honor recipients recognized during the Valor Awards ceremony.

“The Bronze Medal of Valor is awarded in recognition of actions involved in unusual personal risk beyond the call of duty,” she said. “As you assume here, today's honorees hail from multiple agencies and demonstrate a selfless commitment to the protection and safety of others faced with an emergency situation.”

While in Paris, France last summer, representing the Fairfax County Police Department during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sgt. Jeffrey W. Andrea, Sgt. Kevin J. Gehr, Sgt. and Steven G. Monahan were enjoying a meal at a cafe with French Police Officer Loic Carcon, when they were alerted to a disturbance.

Related: Heroic Response To Home Explosion By Fairfax Co. Fire & Rescue Honored

“A patron was armed with a handmade shank and began to violently and aggressively advance toward the cafe owner,” said Olmo. “These four officers, who were off duty, by the way, and without the benefit of the normal safety equipment that they wear, quickly sprang into action and worked together to disarm and subdue the subject.”

While on vacation with his family, Matthew Dehler, a retired FCPD lieutenant, was on the beach in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Although recent storms had created rough currents, swimmers were permitted to enter the ocean.

Related: Heroic Acts By 2 Herndon Officers Honored At Valor Awards

“Lt. Dehler heard the cries of an individual who had become caught in a dangerous rip current,” Olmo said. “Quickly grabbing another swimmer's wake board, he swam 150 yards, not feet, yards, through the currents. With the help of another off-duty officer, who would also happen to be on the beach, they were able to bring this individual to safety.”

This is the final installment in a series of articles about Fairfax County public safety personnel recognized during the 47th Annual Valor Awards ceremony on April 7 at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles Hotel.