OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS

 Sergeant Jeffrey Shubert, Detective Trevor Reinhart, Officer Matthew Willeke and Officer Frank Winston

Manassas Park Women’s Club Officer of the Year Recipients 

During the early morning hours of July 8, 2007, numerous 911 calls flooded the Manassas Park Public Safety Communications Center in reference to a large townhouse fire in the 200 block of Kirby Street in Manassas Park. 

ECS Childress advised police patrol  units that fire and rescue was responding to several townhomes on fire with the possibility of trapped occupants.  Due to the early morning hour Sergeant Jeffrey Shubert, Detective Trevor Reinhart, Officer Matthew Willeke and Officer Frank Winston responded to the area.  Without hesitation, these officers placed their own lives in jeopardy by responding to each townhome, attempting to locate possible fire victims, and assisting with their evacuation. 

A staging area was established and these officers continued their search efforts until all residences were given the “all clear” signal.  Upon the arrival of fire and rescue units, the officers assisted them with multiple tasks. 

This devastating fire consumed four townhomes and caused a substantial amount of damage but no loss of life.  The actions of Sergeant Jeffrey Shubert, Detective Trevor Reinhart, Officer Matthew Willeke and Officer Frank Winston were above and beyond the call of duty.  The officers represented the very purpose they have been called to serve, protection of life.  

At a recent ceremony, each recipient was recognized as Officer of the Year for 2007.

Emergency Communications Specialist Cheryl Childress

Manassas Park Women’s Club ECS of the Year Recipient

Emergency Communications Specialist Childress has work for the City of Manassas Park Police Department for three years.   

In this short time, she has become a valuable part of the Communications team.  ECS Childress is always counted on to train new personnel in a variety of areas and provide them with guidance, encouragement, and “pearls of wisdom”. 

She learns quickly, tackles any assignment, and is a team player.  Her attitude is positive when arriving at work and after long, busy shifts, she leaves with the same great outlook.  Many times, she recognizes daily activities in need of change, makes suggestions for improvement, and develops procedures to implement them. 

ECS Childress is enthusiastic about her career choice, an excellent role model, and an asset to the communications office as well as the department as a whole.  The Manassas Park Women’s Club recently recognized her as the Emergency Communications Specialist of the Year for 2007.

Officer A.J. DeFelice

On March 1, 2008, while Officer DeFelice was assigned to communications, Officer Johnson initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for reckless driving on Euclid Avenue at Lapaz Place.  As he was writing a summons for this offense, the driver recklessly left the scene in the vehicle, with an infant in a car seat not secured by a seatbelt. Officer Johnson followed the vehicle to Burnside Court at which time the driver fled from the vehicle on foot.  Officer DeFelice provided a steady flow of detailed information to Officer Johnson and Lieutenant Prinz that resulted in the apprehension of the suspect in the backyard of a residence on White Pine Drive.  The suspect was charged with unlawful possession of narcotics, child endangerment, in addition to several other offenses.  The suspect also had outstanding warrants from two other jurisdictions.

Officer DeFelice directly contributed to the arrest of a dangerous felon. The manner in which he conducted himself reflects favorably upon his professionalism as well as the police department as a whole.  He was recently commended for a job well done.

Officer W.T. Johnson

On March 1, 2008, Officer Johnson initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for reckless driving on Euclid Avenue at Lapaz Place.  As he completed a summons for this offense, the driver recklessly left the scene in the vehicle, with an infant in a car seat not secured by a seatbelt.  Officer Johnson followed the vehicle to Burnside Court at which time the driver fled from the vehicle on foot.  With information provided by a witness, Officer Johnson and Lieutenant Prinz apprehended the suspect in the backyard of a residence on White Pine Drive.  The suspect was charged with unlawful possession of narcotics, child endangerment as well as  several other offenses.  In addition, the suspect had outstanding warrants from two other jurisdictions. 

Officer Johnson's observations and investigative skills combined with the effort of a lengthy foot pursuit resulted in the arrest of a dangerous felon. The manner in which he conducted himself reflects favorably upon his professionalism as well as the police department as a whole.  He was recently commended for a job well done.

MADD AWARD

Officer W. T. Johnson

Officer Johnson received the Fairfax Alcohol Safety Action Program and Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, Northern Virginia Chapters award for Excellence in Community Service and Public Safety presented May 2008.  The award was given for service to the community in the effort to combat impaired driving.  During 2007, Officer Johnson was responsible for 60% of all drunk driving arrests and maintains an excellent conviction rate.  He far exceeds the efforts of his contemporaries and continually strives to do his best, far beyond what is expected. 

According to Chief Evans, "Officer Johnson reflects the professional manner in which law enforcement officers are expected to preserve the peace and instill safety within our community and is commended for a job well done".