2025 Valor Awards: Honoring Hometown Heroes On April 23 the Fauquier Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted the 13th Annual Valor Awards at the Fauquier campus of Laurel Ridge Community College. It was led by Master of Ceremonies Simone de Alba, a WUSA9 anchorwoman. The event honors exemplary public safety service by men and women from the Fauquier County Fire and Rescue System, the Warrenton Police Department, the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Department, and the Virginia State Police. These individuals demonstrate what it means to go the extra mile to protect our citizens. In his opening remarks, Mark B. Williams noted this year’s event honored over 100 people, more than double the number from last year. The evening kicked off by honoring veteran George D. Scheulen, who served in the United States Army in the 1st Cavalry Division, known as the “First Team” and later in the “Sky Troopers” during the Vietnam War. He earned the Bronze Star, awarded for valor and heroic achievement not involving aerial flight, and the Air Medal, awarded for meritorious achievement in aviation for all of the helicopter combat assaults he completed. Following his military service, Mr. Scheulen earned a degree from Virginia Tech and began his work in public accounting. In 1978, he and his family moved to Warrenton, where he eventually opened his own accounting firm. Warrenton Police Chief Tim Carter & his wife, Jennifer Simone de Alba, Gloria & Mark Williams Office were honored for their heroic efforts in responding to a house fire. They include Assistant Fire Chief Jason Koglin, Lieutenant Jacob Ballantyne, and Firefighter Joseph Weirsky from Rescue 1; EMTs David Achter, Alexandra Campbell, Jayden Cary, and Griffin Macintyre from Ambulance 1; Lieutenant William McDonald and Technicians Joshua Plaster and Alex Stroop from Engine 1; Technicians Mason Ferraiuolo, Robert Galvin, and Brandon Miller from Medic 1; and 1st Sergeant Lance Davenport, Sergeant Brian Colbert, Corporal Austin Rodgers, and Master Deputy Jacob Boone from the Sheriff’s Office. A second fire occurring at a 55-and-older apartment complex on Christmas Eve involved another 15 individuals responding from Fauquier County Fire and Rescue System and the Warrenton Police Department, resulting in a successful outcome for many victims. The honorees include Battalion Fire Chief Rich Cluff; New Baltimore Fire Chief John Kane; Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company Assistant Chief Jason Koglin; Lieutenant William McDonald and Technicians Alex Stroop and William Weisbrodt from Engine 1; Captain Jordon Coleman and Technicians Dylan Hall and Joshua Plaster from Medic 1; Corporal Joe Johnson and Deputy First Class Cole Masterson from the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office; and Sergeant Stephen Hall, Corporal Jay Perez, and Officer Jory Farnsworth from the Warrenton Police Department. Three Meritorious Unit Awards were given for various incidents to teams from the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office and Warrenton Police Department, in recognition of their excellent teamwork. They include: Public Safety Telecommunicators Gustave Anderson, Misti Battle, Krista Bouie, Kimberly Malloy, Myriam Plaisted, and Tracy Werner; Deputies First Class Charles Acres, Greg Behm, Armando Cossio, Duy Duong, Dylan Healy, Colby Lewis, Cole Masterson, Greyson Railey, and Scott Wines; Lieutenants Dawn Arrington, David Lee, K9 Remi, and John Thorpe; Master Deputies Sheriff Jacob Boone, Jonathan Grammo, Kelsey Omohundro, and Zachary Webb; Sergeants James Arrington, Brian Colbert, and Kevin Ryan; 1st Sergeants John Coppage and Lance Davenport; Detective Sergeant Michael Gemmell; Corporals Joe Johnson, Tyler Lloyd, Austin Rodgers, Jeffrey Shaver, Chris Snyder, and Jordan White; Officers Frances Radel and Rachel Shockey; Detectives William Bailey, Christopher Corbin, Matthew Eggers, Jacob Hill, Richard Hudson, Shane Jacobs, Richard Kniatt, Christopher Koglin, Bobby Lewis, Albert Richardson, and Bryan Vickers; Crime Analyst Chrissy Lamb; and Radio Administrator Chuck Kuhler. Furthermore, Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Warrenton Police Chief Tim Carter and retired Fire Chief Dale Koglin with the Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company for their many years of unwavering service. And finally, Simone de Alba and Dale Koglin a Valor Award was presented to Sergeant John Larsen with the Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company for his selfless act of a partial liver transplant. Fauquier Chamber president and CEO Alec Burnett recognized the numerous event sponsors and supporters. We join the Chamber in extending our heartfelt thanks and sincere congratulations to each and every one of these heroes! ~ Nancy Griffin-Bonnaire To advertise: 540-349-8060 www.discoverypubs.com Simone de Alba and George Scheulen The evening continued with the presentation of Life Saving Awards, which were presented to two individuals, including Captain Mike Proper of the Marshall Fire and Rescue Department, and Corporal Jeffrey Shaver of the Warrenton Police Department. In addition, four individuals received Life Saving Awards for their combined efforts in saving two men from carbon monoxide exposure. They include EMTs Jordan Rivera and Joshua Sabol from Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company’s Ambulance 1, and Technicians Casey Burr and Connor Rodenbaugh from Fauquier County Fire and Rescue System. Next, a large number of individuals were recognized with Meritorious Service Awards, beginning with Virginia State Police Trooper James C. “Chaz” Turner, whose actions during three separate cases demonstrated his commitment to the safety and justice of our citizens. These cases included the arrest of people involved in drug trafficking, human smuggling, and a hit-and-run event. Other Meritorious Service Awards went to Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office Delta Squad, which includes Deputies First Class Charles Acres, Erik Barnes, Shianne Downs, Spencer Kerns, and David Settle, and Sergeant Aaron Vescovi, for their commitment during a seven-hour standoff involving a man with a weapon and an injured woman. More than a dozen individuals from the Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company, Fauquier County Fire and Rescue System, and the Fauquier County Sheriff’s John Larsen & Chief Scott Ross 28 Discover Fauquier ■ June/July 2025