The Virginia Sheriffs’ Association (VSA) presents awards for Deputy Sheriff of the Year, Dispatcher of the Year, and Valor annually. VSA is now accepting nominations for the 2025 awards. The honorees for the Deputy and Dispatcher of the Year Awards and the Valor Award made by the VSA Awards Committee shall be recognized during the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association Annual Conference being held September 2025, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront Marriott. These awards provide an excellent way for the VSA to honor the meritorious contributions of Virginia’s professional deputy sheriffs and dispatchers. Nominations are due by close of business on February 15, 2025.
This year’s nominations will be accepted online only by clicking HERE. 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 releases/articles and the nominee’s photograph 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 March 2025.
2025 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 during the 2024 calendar year, as well as participation in activities that improve the quality of life in the 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 the community. Please attach supporting documentation such as reports, letters of reference, press releases/articles, the nominee’s resume, and the 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. Only one deputy will receive the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association Deputy Sheriff of the Year Award each year.
Please submit the nominations by February 15, 2025, by clicking HERE.
2025 Deputy Sheriff Valor Award
The Valor Award may be awarded to any deputy sheriff whose extraordinary heroism, dedication, and courage in the performance of his/her duties, shows selfless bravery, extreme personal risk, and supreme sacrifice clearly above and beyond the call of duty and rises above other exceptional acts.
Nominations for Valor Awards 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 attach documentation such as in-depth reports, letters of reference, press releases/articles, the nominee’s resume, and the nominee’s photograph.
A candidate for the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association Valor Award must be a sworn Virginia deputy sheriff at the time of the incident.
Please submit the nominations by February 15, 2025, by clicking HERE.
2025 Dispatcher of the Year Award
The Dispatcher of the Year award is intended to recognize one dispatcher who has shown unusual initiative and imagination in the performance of his/her duty during the 2024 calendar year, as well as participation in activities that improve the quality of life in the 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.
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 attach documentation such as in-depth reports, letters of reference, press releases/articles, the nominee’s resume, and the 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.
Only one dispatcher will receive the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association Dispatcher of the Year Award each year. Please submit the nominations by February 15, 2025, by clicking HERE.