The Virginia Sheriffs’ Association (VSA) is now accepting nominations for the Deputy Sheriff of the Year Award, Dispatcher of the Year Award, and the Deputy Sheriff Valor Award for 2023. The awards will be presented during the annual conference, being held September 19-21, 2023, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront Marriott. These awards provide an excellent way for the VSA to recognize the meritorious contributions of Virginia’s professional deputy sheriffs and dispatchers.
This year’s nominations will be accepted online only by clicking HERE. Nominations must be submitted by Friday, April 21, 2023. The online nomination system allows for your letter of recommendation and other documentation supporting your nomination such as in-depth reports, letters of reference, press release/articles to be uploaded. There is also a place to include a video link if helpful. The VSA president will select a VSA Nominating Committee to review all the nominations after the deadline with a decision available by the end of May 2023.
2023 Deputy Sheriff of the Year Award
This award is intended to recognize a deputy sheriff who has shown unusual initiative and imagination in the performance of his/her duty, and recognizes activities that improve the quality of life in their community. A meritorious act of service involving any of the functions of the office of the sheriff (i.e., law enforcement, corrections, court services, etc.) is not mandatory to receive this award.
The nomination should include information about the candidate, whether the nominee is a member of the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association and a description outlining major accomplishments, including activities in law enforcement, criminal justice and in the community. Please feel free to attach supporting documentation such as reports, letters of reference, press releases/articles, nominee’s resume or nominee’s photograph.
A candidate for the prestigious Virginia Sheriffs’ Association Deputy Sheriff of the Year Award must be a sworn, full-time Virginia deputy sheriff. Please submit the nominations by Friday, April 21, 2023, by clicking HERE.
2023 Deputy Sheriff Valor Award
The Deputy Sheriff Valor award recipient is selected based on that individual’s unquestionable, above and beyond the call of duty performance and recognizes any extreme life-threatening act(s) of bravery.
The committee will consider situations involving rescues, shootouts and lifesaving acts that, if not performed, would not be considered a dereliction of duty.
This award is intended to recognize a deputy sheriff who has shown unusual initiative, exceptional dedication and courage in the performance of his/her duties to include, extraordinary judgment, bravery, lifesaving(s) and rescue(s).
The nomination should include information about the candidate, whether the nominee is a member of the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association and a detailed description of the valorous activity. Please feel free to attach documentation such as in-depth reports, letters of reference, press releases/articles, nominee’s resume or nominee’s photograph.
A candidate for the prestigious Virginia Sheriffs’ Association Valor Award must be a sworn, full-time Virginia deputy sheriff. Please submit the nominations by Friday, April 21, 2023, by clicking HERE. Nominations for the Valor Award can be from any event in 2022 to present.
2023 Dispatcher of the Year Award
The Dispatcher of the Year award recipient is selected based on that individual’s unquestionable, above and beyond the call of duty performance and recognizes any extreme life-threatening act(s) of bravery.
The committee will consider situations involving acts that, if not performed, would not be considered a dereliction of duty.
This award is intended to recognize a dispatcher who has shown unusual initiative, exceptional dedication and courage in the performance of his/her duties to include, extraordinary judgment, bravery, lifesaving(s) and rescue(s).
The nomination should include information about the candidate, whether the nominee is a member of the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association and a detailed description of the valorous activity. Please feel free to attach documentation such as in-depth reports, letters of reference, press releases/articles, nominee’s resume or nominee’s photograph.
A candidate for the prestigious Virginia Sheriffs’ Association Dispatcher of the Year Award must be a full or part time employee, whose primary duties are dispatching calls for a sheriff’s office and local first responders through either local sheriff’s office or a centralized dispatch system. Please submit the nominations by Friday, April 21, 2023, by clicking HERE.