FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Loudoun County, VA (September 20, 2022) – Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman is proud to announce that two members of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office received statewide recognition today at the Virginia Sheriffs' Association (VSA) Annual Conference, accepting two of the three top awards.
A Detective with the LCSO received the VSA Deputy Sheriff of the Year award. Due to the sensitive nature of the work performed, the detective's name and photo are not included. The detective played an instrumental role in a narcotics investigation that began in Loudoun County, Virginia in 2017 and led to the largest seizure of illegal drugs in the history of Loudoun County. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration Press Release, “The operation uncovered and dismantled seven, violent, drug trafficking organization cells in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area, and resulted in 33 high-level individuals charged, hundreds of pounds of deadly drugs being taken off the streets, $5.4 million in U.S. currency, 32 rifles, 81 handguns, and other assets seized.”
Dispatcher Molly Rau received the VSA 2022 Dispatcher of the Year award. Dispatcher Rau is currently assigned to the night shift at the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) and has been an LCSO employee for nearly three years. Dispatcher Rau is certified in Crisis Intervention Training and is already a Communications Training Officer, having trained LCSO as well as a Loudoun County Fire and Rescue call taker. Dispatcher Rau was recognized for her response when a call was received regarding an individual live streaming on Facebook Live threatening to harm themselves with a knife. She coordinated with Field Operations’ deputies to establish the correct address, monitoring several channels and handling citizen calls related to the situation. Simultaneously, there were two additional separate calls received regarding subjects threatening harm. Her efforts contributed to all incidents being successfully resolved.
“This statewide recognition is a testament to the work of all of our employees, both sworn and civilian. The professionalism and work ethic of both the detective and dispatcher Rau is a reflection of your sheriff’s office as a premier law enforcement organization, and why the LCSO continues to be a model agency for Virginia and the nation,” said Sheriff Chapman.
The 89th Virginia Sheriffs’ Association Annual Conference and Exhibition is being held this week in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The annual conference attracts more than 500 sheriffs, deputies, exhibitors, and guests and represents the VSA's largest annual event.