Four Harrisonburg Police Department officers received the 2024 Award for Valor from the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police on Tuesday night.
The VACP Awards Banquet was held as part of the 99th Annual VACP Conference in Roanoke.
The four HPD employees honored include:
- Sergeant Brian Tusing
- Officer John A. Denneny
- Officer Alaina C. McWhorter
- Officer Rose Mary Nuno
The officers were recognized for their actions responding to a domestic disturbance involving a firearm and abduction of a woman on May 6, 2023. The four officers responded to an incident last year where an armed suspect, Oliverio Patricio-Garcia, 30, had forced a 52-year-old woman into his vehicle and fled. Officers pursued the suspect to Liberty Street, where they were able to stop the vehicle.
According to police, as Tusing breached the driver’s side window, the suspect opened fire on officers. While the suspect was distracted by the officers returning fire, McWhorter and Nuno were able to help the victim to safety. The suspect then opened fire directly at Denneny, and all four officers returned fire striking the suspect.
Although the suspect had just fired shots at them, the officers immediately began rendering aid. The suspect was in critical condition following the incident and was charged with three counts of attempted murder.
No officers were injured in the encounter. The victim was also able to walk away from the incident without any injuries.
“We are immensely proud of our officers and thankful to the VACP for recognizing their hard work,” said HPD Interim Chief Todd Miller.
“Their adept handling of the situation displayed their quick thinking, training and professionalism under extreme pressure,” he said. “Tusing, Denneny, McWhorter and Nuno showed an unwavering commitment to community safety and security through their selfless acts of service just as HPD officers strive to do every day.”
Additional honorees
In addition to Harrisonburg, officers from Danville, Fairfax County, Hampton, Hanover County, Henrico County, Martinsville, Metro Transit (Washington Metro Area Transit Authority), Prince William County, Richmond, Roanoke and Virginia State Police were also recognized for heroism.
Danville Police Department
- Sergeant Clarence L. Goins
- Officer Seth C. Parker
- Officer Nicholas W. Smithers
Fairfax County Police Department
- PFC Andrew Snow
Hanover County Sheriff’s Office
- Deputy Jonathan W. Arvidson
- Deputy Ricardo B. Reyes
- Deputy Kathleen A. Russell
Henrico County Police Division
- Lieutenant Patrick F. Crook
- Detective Russell K. Middleton
Martinsville Police Department
- Lieutenant Doug Graham
Metro Transit Police Department
- Officer Thaddeus Ferguson
Prince William County Police Department
- Officer Ethan M. Hughart
- Officer James K. Bocompani
Richmond Police Department
- Sergeant Cody Adams
- Officer Taylor Clark
- Officer William McAuliffe
- Officer Keegan Mills
- Officer Jakob Torres
Roanoke Police Department
- Detective Ryan A. Sloan
- Officer Lauren M. Camper
- Officer David L. Gilliam
Virginia State Police
- Trooper Jordan S. Corvin
- Trooper Drew A. Bragg
- Trooper Jarrad J. Byrd
- Trooper II Barret L. Brown
- Trooper Corey M. Hall
- Trooper II Logan A. Hinnant
- Trooper Sean M. Laychak
- Trooper Joshua T. Pappas
- Trooper Matthew S. Spinosa
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