The Virginia Sheriffs’ Association (VSA) congratulates the recipients of the 2026 Deputy Sheriff of the Year, Dispatcher of the Year, and Valor Awards. It is a privilege for VSA to recognize the meritorious contributions of Virginia’s professional deputy sheriffs and dispatchers. While the achievements of all this year’s nominees were commendable, the committee selected the 2026 recipients for going above and beyond the call of duty.
“The men and women recognized through the VSA Awards represent the very best of Virginia’s sheriffs’ offices,” said Accomack County Sheriff W. Todd Wessells, Chairman of the VSA Awards Committee. “Whether responding in moments of crisis, supporting their communities behind the scenes, or demonstrating exceptional leadership and professionalism over the course of their careers, each of this year’s recipients has made a meaningful impact. We are proud to recognize their dedication, service, and unwavering commitment to others.”
“These awards remind us that public safety is built on people who consistently show up for others, often without recognition and often under difficult circumstances,” said John W. Jones, Executive Director of the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association. “The individuals honored this year exemplify integrity, compassion, sound judgment, and service above self. Their work reflects the values that strengthen both the law enforcement profession and the communities they serve.”
From lifesaving responses to years of steadfast service, the 2026 award recipients reflect the best of Virginia’s sheriffs’ offices. Read about their contributions below.
2026 Deputy Sheriff of the Year Award
Robbie Burnette, Bedford County Sheriff’s Office
In October 2022, twenty-seven-year-old Katlyn Lyon was found unresponsive by her roommate at her apartment located in Bedford County. Ms. Lyon was transported to Lynchburg General Hospital, but unfortunately, she passed away a short time later as a result of strangulation.
Investigator Robbie Burnette of the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation, beginning with documenting injuries that confirmed homicide and not accidental death. The investigation took many turns in the initial phases and was dynamic and multiphase. Investigator Burnette spent many hours canvassing the neighborhood, local stores, and conducting interviews with Ms. Lyon’s friends and family. Investigator Burnette focused his investigation on Ms. Lyon’s ex-boyfriend, Trenton Frye of North Carolina, as the suspect of this horrific crime.
Investigator Burnette led a team of investigators who were able to locate digital evidence, including Google searches, cell phone location data, and text messages, placing Trenton Frye not only in Bedford County at the time of the homicide but at Ms. Lyon’s home. Investigator Burnette’s investigation revealed a pattern of stalking, deception, and lies to law enforcement.
Trenton Frye was ultimately charged and, after a four-and-a-half-day trial and approximately 50 minutes of deliberation, he was found guilty of First-Degree Murder and, in August 2025, was sentenced to life in prison. The judge called the murder “as cold-blooded and premeditated” as he had ever seen.
2026 Dispatcher of the Year Award
Jonathan Marsceau, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office
After joining the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in November 2023, Dispatcher Jonathan Marsceau has distinguished himself through unusual initiative, exceptional dedication, and consistently outstanding performance in support of the Sheriff’s Office and the Loudoun County community.
From the beginning of his employment, Dispatcher Marsceau has become an integral and trusted member of the ECC. His peers in the communications center and deputies in the field consistently remark on his high level of professionalism in every interaction, strong technical skills and mastery of ECC systems and protocols, and unwavering dedication to responder and community safety. Dispatcher Marsceau demonstrates a superior work ethic. He regularly goes beyond what is expected, ensuring every call for service is thoroughly managed from receipt to resolution.
Dispatcher Marsceau’s calm, composed demeanor during high-stress incidents directly contributes to effective incident management, preserving both life and property. In high-priority, rapidly evolving events, he has consistently demonstrated patience, professionalism, and exceptional competency, traits that have earned him the confidence of supervisors, deputies, and fellow dispatchers.
On December 15, 2024, Dispatcher Marsceau was the call-taker for a critical medical emergency involving a patient in cardiac arrest. He rapidly obtained essential information while initiating an immediate response from law enforcement, fire, and EMS. In addition, he delivered calm, clear, and effective CPR coaching to a distressed caller, maintaining control of the situation and providing continuous encouragement and guidance until first responders arrived on scene.
In August 2025, Dispatcher Marsceau served as the primary radio dispatcher during a critical incident involving a seriously injured Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office motorcycle unit. In this high-stakes, emotionally charged situation, he immediately recognized the severity of the incident and ensured a timely, appropriate response from law enforcement, fire, and EMS resources.
Dispatcher Marsceau is Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) certified and has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to de-escalate highly emotional or volatile callers in crisis. He quickly builds rapport with distressed individuals, using CIT techniques to reduce tension, gather critical information, and keep callers engaged until help arrives. His CIT skills demonstrate extraordinary judgment and compassion in situations that could otherwise escalate to violence or self-harm.
To further serve the ECC and enhance its capabilities, Dispatcher Marsceau trained to become a Communications Training Officer (CTO). In this role, he provides hands-on instruction and guidance to new dispatchers, modeling best practices in call-taking, radio operations, and decision-making. His readiness to help others by answering questions, assisting with difficult callers, and covering additional responsibilities strengthens the ECC’s overall performance and enhances the quality of service to the public.
2026 Valor Awards
Investigator Ed Clark, Henry County Sheriff’s Office
On June 17, 2024, Investigator Ed Clark of the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, alongside investigators from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, the Martinsville Police Department, and the United States Marshals Service, was engaged in a coordinated operation to locate and apprehend Timothy Howell. Mr. Howell was wanted on serious felony charges, including malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
During the operation, investigators developed intelligence indicating that Mr. Howell was at a nearby residence. As Investigator Clark and assisting personnel approached the property, Investigator Clark observed Mr. Howell standing near a camper positioned at the edge of the residence, adjacent to a wooded area. As Investigator Clark brought his patrol vehicle to a controlled stop, Mr. Howell attempted to flee on foot behind the camper toward the woods. Without hesitation, Investigator Clark exited his patrol vehicle and pursued Mr. Howell to prevent his escape and protect the surrounding community. As he rounded the corner of the camper, Investigator Clark encountered Mr. Howell at close range. In that instant, Mr. Howell produced a firearm and deliberately pointed it directly at Investigator Clark.
Confronted with an immediate and deadly threat, Investigator Clark acted decisively and with extraordinary courage. In defense of his own life and the lives of fellow officers, he drew his service weapon and discharged multiple rounds, striking Mr. Howell in both arms and immediately stopping the threat. As a result of Investigator Clark’s swift and accurate response, Mr. Howell dropped the firearm and fell to the ground, preventing what could have been a tragic and deadly outcome.
Investigator Clark and the assisting investigators quickly secured Mr. Howell and took him into custody. Despite having just faced a life-threatening encounter, Investigator Clark immediately transitioned from neutralizing a threat to preserving life, rendering life-saving medical aid alongside fellow officers. Because of their rapid and effective response, Mr. Howell’s life was saved.
Mr. Howell was transported to a local hospital for further treatment and later recovered from his injuries. Following his recovery, he was prosecuted for the aforementioned offenses. He ultimately stood trial and was found guilty of the charges against him.
Investigator Clark’s actions on June 17, 2024, exemplify the highest standards of law enforcement service. His bravery under direct fire, calm decision-making under extreme pressure, and disciplined use of force prevented further violence and undoubtedly saved lives. His conduct reflects strength of character, unwavering resolve, and an unshakable commitment to protecting others, even at great personal risk.
Sergeant Steven Bodek, Deputy Seth Caveness, and Canine Deputy Slate White, Nelson County Sheriff’s Office
On Saturday, May 24, 2025, Sergeant Steven Bodek, Deputy Seth Caveness, and Canine Deputy Slate White of the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Crabtree Falls, a scenic tourist attraction in the County of Nelson known for its beautiful, but dangerous, waterfalls and hiking trails. The call involved two hikers who had fallen more than fifty feet from the hiking trail into the rocks and rushing water of the Piney River. Eyewitnesses to this incident said that both women fell while attempting to take a photograph of the sunset. The women had stepped off the public walking path to capture the photograph when they both lost their footing and fell over the embankment.
Deputies Caveness and White were the first two deputies to arrive on the scene. After parking their patrol vehicles at the Crabtree Falls parking area, both deputies walked approximately one-half mile in the approaching darkness until they reached the complainant, who observed both hikers fall.
Using flashlights, the deputies were able to locate a woman approximately fifty feet below them. The woman was in the water of the Piney River, holding onto a rock, which was keeping her from being swept away by the rushing river currents.
Deputy Caveness notified the Shift Commander, Sergeant Bodek, of the situation via radio transmission. Sergeant Bodek had just arrived at the parking area and assumed “Incident Command” as he waited for additional search-and-rescue personnel to arrive.
Deputy Caveness and White descended the fifty-foot embankment in the dark, which was encompassed by sharp rocks and tree roots. Once down the embankment, the deputies navigated to the edge of the river, where they spoke with the woman clinging to a river rock. Deputy White had a 30-foot Canine lead on his person at this time, and he was able to toss the end of the lead to the woman. With the lead in hand, Deputies White and Caveness were able to pull her out of the water. At the time of this rescue, Sergeant Bodek was providing instruction and directions to additional search-and-rescue units who were arriving on location to assist in the rescue of the second hiker.
After a lengthy nighttime search, the second hiker was located downstream from where the first had been rescued. The second hiker had fallen an additional 150 feet over several waterfalls. First Responders recovered the body of the second hiker, partially submerged in the water.
The rescued hiker was transported to UVA Medical Center for minor injuries and observation, and she was released several days later. To date, over one dozen individuals have lost their lives at Crabtree Falls. All deaths have been a result of falling incidents similar to the one described.
Deputy Schuyler Sibley, New Kent County Sheriff’s Office
On August 3, 2025, Deputy Schuyler Sibley of the New Kent County Sheriff’s Office was off-duty, spending the day with his family in Colonial Williamsburg. When Deputy Schuyler Sibley and his family were walking back to his truck to leave, they were passing by Mellow Mushroom when he observed several people running out of the restaurant. One woman with a child yelled to everyone that there was a man with a gun inside, pointing it at people. Deputy Sibley instructed his family to return to the truck, and he rushed to the entrance of the restaurant.
He observed a man with a gun in his hand. He identified himself as a law enforcement officer and ordered him to drop the gun. The man was compliant, placing the gun on the floor. The man and several other employees informed Deputy Sibley that he wasn’t the offender, and the gun came from a co-worker who had brandished the gun and threatened to shoot another employee. The witnesses said the suspect ran out as Deputy Sibley came in. They pointed out the suspect to Deputy Sibley as the suspect ran through the parking lot. The manager secured the firearm for responding units, and Deputy Sibley chased after the suspect on foot.
He closed in on the suspect as he entered Duke of Gloucester Street, where there was a multitude of civilians and tourists. Once Deputy Sibley was able to get his hands on the suspect, he assisted him to the ground. He restrained the suspect until a Williamsburg Police Officer arrived on the scene.
Sergeant Joshua Bowers and Deputy James Young, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office
On March 28, 2025, in the Lambsburg community of Carroll County, Deputy James Young and Sergeant Joshua Bowers of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office responded to an armed and dangerous wanted subject at the Love’s Travel Center. The suspect was wanted for a road rage incident involving the shooting of another truck driver earlier that same day in the Greensboro, North Carolina area, and was also wanted in Maryland for another violent offense. The suspect posed an immediate and significant threat to the public and to responding law enforcement officers.
The suspect initially refused to exit his parked tractor-trailer and told the deputy, “No … y’all are going to have to kill me.” The tactical team assembled and attempted to persuade the suspect to exit the truck. Eventually, the suspect climbed out of the driver’s door but refused to comply with commands to get on the ground and show his hands. After the suspect ultimately went to the ground, he reached for a handgun from his waistband and fired directly toward the group of law enforcement officers. The suspect shot Deputy Young in the thigh and Sergeant Bowers in the torso. Both were transported for medical treatment and survived their injuries. The suspect was shot and killed during the incident.
Despite being wounded, Deputy Young and Sergeant Bowers demonstrated remarkable courage, resolve, and professionalism under extreme and life-threatening conditions. Their actions during this incident reflected an unwavering commitment to duty and the protection of others, even at great personal risk. Their response helped prevent further harm to civilians and fellow officers and exemplified the highest standards of law enforcement service.
These awards reflect not only remarkable acts of individual courage and commitment, but also the strength and professionalism found across Virginia’s sheriffs’ offices. We look forward to celebrating this year’s honorees in person at the 2026 VSA Awards Ceremony, which will be held during the VSA Annual Conference, September 15–17, 2026, at the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
