Valor Awards Recognize Police, Fire And Rescue In Fairfax County

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — In its first year as host of the Fairfax County Valor Awards, the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday released the names of the first responders in the county recognized for their actions above and beyond the call of duty in 2021.

Since 1979, the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce had hosted the Fairfax County Valor Awards. In their 43rd year, the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce took over the duties of hosting the awards.

“The Greater Reston Chamber is proud to continue the legacy of the Valor Awards. Recognizing our brave first responders, who would not otherwise seek such public acclaim, for their heroic and lifesaving actions, is a deeply meaningful tradition for our community,” Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Charles Kapur said in a statement Tuesday.

Each year, awards are handed out in the following categories: Silver Medal of Honor, Bronze Medal of Honor, Certificate of Valor and Lifesaving Award.

The Valor Awards recognize public safety employees from the Fairfax County Police Department, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, Vienna Police Department and Virginia State Police.

For the 2021 Fairfax County Valor Awards, the Silver Medal of Honor award winners were former Fairfax County Police Chief Edwin C. Roessler Jr., who retired earlier this year after leading the department for more than eight years, and Lieutenant Paul J. Wenner of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.

All of the 2021 honorees will be recognized through the publication of a commemorative program and video scheduled for release on June 15. The commemorative video will be aired on Channel 10 and can be viewed on the GRCC YouTube page and Valor Awards webpage the following day.

From the Fairfax County Police Department, the 2021 Bronze Medal of Honor winners were Master Police Officer J. Kevin Clarke and K9 Logan, Police Officer First Class Daniel N. Custer and K9 Lobo, Pilot D. Andrew Edgerton, Sergeant Ali Sepehri, Police Officer First Class Mark J. Kracun, Sergeant Christopher F. Cosgriff, Police Officer First Class Michael D. Gunstrom, Police Officer First Class Ryan C. Quarto, Police Officer First Class Ryan C. Kelley, Police Officer First Class Shea C. Keaveny, Police Officer First Class Adam C. Moya, Second Lieutenant David J. Montgomery, Master Police Officer Ki H. Koh, Master Police Officer Paul J. Woods, Police Officer First Class Rafael J. Orellano, Police Officer First Class Kevin A. Morgan, Police Officer First Class Enoch J. Green, Police Officer First Class Julia E. Vito, Police Officer First Class Trevor J. Duncan, Police Officer First Class Anthony R. Samaniego and Police Officer First Class Tom N. Dawson.

From the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, the winner of the 2021 Bronze Medal of Honor was Private First Class Connor Delgado. From the Virginia State Police, the winners of the Bronze Medal of Honor were Senior Trooper Andre Jones, Trooper Jordan Corvin and Trooper Matthew Spalding.

Visit the GRCC YouTube page on June 16 to learn the names of the other recipients of 2021 Fairfax County Valor Awards.