The Danville Police Department held the annual awards ceremony in the multipurpose room at 1 Community Way Wednesday, Feb. 12.
In a first for the Department, awards were also presented to members of Danville Adult Detention and W.W. Moore Juvenile Detention Home.
City Manager Ken Larking presented the Department’s third highest honor, the Distinguished Service Medal, to Chief Christopher K. Wiles to begin the ceremony. The Distinguished Service Medal may be awarded to a member for an outstanding act or achievement that brings credit to the member and to the Danville Police Department. It involves performance above and beyond that is required by the officer's basic work assignment or exceptional professional skill and conduct during a coordinated action.
The Chief’s Challenge Coin was presented to Rick Barker, CEO and President of Supply Resources, Lloyd Irby from City of Danville Public Works, Jessica Smith from Public Works, and Wendy Willis from the City of Danville’s Human Resources Department.
The Chief's coin is awarded to anyone by the Chief of Police. The intent of this coin is to immediately recognize excellence in service as it relates to those who demonstrate personal initiative and creativity in advancing the mission and objectives of the Department.
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The Partnership Award was presented to members of the Centra Gretna Forensic Nursing Department, Supervisor April Rasmussin, Lisa Curtis, Lynn Dawson, and Corey Knight; in addition to United States Department of Justice of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Agent in Charge Keith Teehan from the Roanoke Office.
Annually, the Partnership Award recognizes extraordinary commitment and collaboration between the Danville Police Department and an organization or individual that supports the Department in accomplishing its mission.
The Unit Award is given to a unit of the Danville Police Department for their outstanding service while functioning as a team. This year’s recipients are W.W. Moore’s Whitney Fitzgerald, Terrence Palmer, and Wendy Warren.
Sergeant. Jacob Amos, Sgt. Clarence Goins III, Sgt. Anthony Harn, Corporal. Harry Torres, and Officers Jonathan Coleman, Killian Nau, Seth Parker, Isaiah Rosser, and Nicholas Smithers were all presented with the Lifesaving Award for various acts of heroism during 2024.
The Lifesaving award may be given to an officer who has distinguished himself or herself by employing exceptional tactics and exercising sound judgment, beyond the normal demands of duty, to preserve the life of another during a volatile or dangerous encounter while protecting the safety and security of the public and his or her fellow officers.
Awards for Employee of the Year are nominated and selected based on their exemplary service to the community and department throughout the year.
Employee of the Year from W.W. Moore is Anthony Parrish.
Professional Staff Member of the Year for 2024 is Sharon Wilson.
Supervisor of the Year for 2024 is Lieutenant John Dixon, Lt. Chris Morris, Lt. Dustin Shively, Lt. Ryan Kittrell from Adult Detention, and Terrence Palmer from W.W. Moore.
Officer Nau was selected as the 2024 Officer of the Year.
Correctional Officer of the Year is Steven Rose.
Investigator Tyquan Graves and Corporal Jonathan Wood were both presented the Specialty Officer of the Year Award.
Christy Joyce earned the Director’s Award. The Director’s Award may be awarded by the Director of Adult Detention to a member of Adult Detention who strongly reflects the agency’s core values and has maintained a high level of performance, possesses an outstanding attitude and contributes significantly to the Department’s efforts.
Crystal McCraw and Sgt. Chase Shively were each presented with the Chief’s Award. The Chief’s award medal may be awarded by the Chief of Police to a member of the Danville Police Department who strongly reflects the agency’s core values and has maintained a high level of performance, possesses an outstanding attitude and contributes significantly to the Department’s efforts.
Sgt. Benjamin Langley was presented with the Purple Heart Award. The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member who has been seriously, critically, or fatally wounded.
The Medal of Valor, the second highest award that can be given in the Department, was presented to Sgt. Goins, Officer Seth Parker, and Officer Smithers. The Medal of Valor may be awarded to a member for an act of bravery that demonstrates obvious self-sacrifice in the face of death or serious bodily injury by knowingly exposing oneself to great personal risk in the performance of an official act.