FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2012
Contact: Liz Mills, Director of Media Relations and Communications, 571-251-5568 (mobile)
Liz.mills@loudoun.gov
Loudoun County, VA – Three Loudoun Sheriff’s Deputies were among those recognized last Friday at the 27th Annual Valor Awards ceremony held at the National Conference Center in Lansdowne, Virginia.
The Loudoun County Valor Awards program awards were established by the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the local public safety agencies, to recognize and acknowledge members of the various public safety departments, as well as everyday citizens, who have placed themselves in harm's way over the past year to ensure the safety of others.
Deputy Casey Johnson received the Certificate of Valor for his quick reaction in saving a four-year-old child from serious injury or even death in July 2011. Deputy Johnson responded to an apartment complex in Sterling, Va. for a child who had fallen from a third story balcony. Johnson observed a second child on the outside of the balcony railing. He ran up to the third floor and was able to pull the child back over the railing to safety.
Deputy Robert Heller received the Lifesaving Award for his actions after coming across a child in medical distress on Loudoun County Parkway in April 2011. The child’s mother had pulled their vehicle over and Deputy Heller observed that the child had labored breathing and was turning blue. He placed the child in his patrol vehicle and made the decision to drive her to the emergency room, knowing he could arrive there faster than an ambulance could be dispatched to make the trip. Hospital staff reported that had Deputy Heller not made the decision to driver her himself, the young girl likely would have died.
Investigator Shannon Coderre received the Meritorious Action Award for her actions in August 2011 at the Route 7 and Route 15 bypass. Investigator Coderre saw smoke in the area and came upon a vehicle that was engulfed in smoke. She further noticed sparks and flames coming from underneath the vehicle. She radioed for emergency response equipment and quickly went to the vehicle and observed a female driver still inside. Investigator Coderre and a citizen, James L. Cox, approached the victim and pulled her from the car. By the time the victim was pulled to safety, the car was engulfed in flames.
Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Michael L. Chapman and members of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office leadership team and command staff attended the awards ceremony. Sheriff Chapman remarked on the willingness of the deputies, other emergency personnel and the citizens to put their lives on the line to help and protect others. “Loudoun residents should be proud of the men and women who serve this county every day, each and every one of them are heroes,” Chapman said.
Also recognized at the event were members of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, personnel from Loudoun County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services, and ten citizens.
The featured Masters of Ceremonies at this year’s awards ceremony were ABC 7/WJLA-TV anchors Cynné Simpson and Scott Thuman.
###