The Arlington Chamber of Commerce saluted those who respond in times of crisis at the annual Public Safety Awards last week.
Personnel from the Arlington County Police Department, Arlington County Fire Department, Arlington County Sheriff’s Office and Arlington Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management were honored on Thursday for responses to critical incidents and overall excellence.
“This is one of our most important events,” Chamber president/CEO Kate Bates said at the breakfast ceremony held at Army Navy Country Club.
The honorees, and others in their departments, provide “outstanding service to Arlington,” Bates said.
Melody Dickerson, senior vice president of hospital operations and chief nursing officer at VHC Health, said the annual event was an opportunity to recognize those who go beyond the call of duty.
The community is “so grateful for the contributions that our first-responders make,” she said. “They are unsung heroes.”
Beyond individual awards, the event is a chance to “celebrate everybody who serves Arlington” in public service, said Chamber Chair Bismah Ahmed of the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington.
Earning the Chamber’s highest public-safety award — Valor with Life-Saving — were ACFD Battalion Chief John Snider, Firefighter John Duggan and Firefighter Brandon Porter.
The three were honored for their response to an August 2025 fire on 8th Street S. in Alcova Heights, which involved rescuing a resident trapped inside the home.
According to the citation accompanying the award:
“Under hazardous conditions, they brought the occupant to a window and executed a ladder rescue. Their decisive actions and coordinated effort removed the victim from a life-threatening environment and made further medical treatment possible. Their courage, composure and skill under dangerous conditions directly contributed to saving a life.”
Presented with the Valor Award were ACPD Cpl. Robert Stanley and Sgt. Mark Francis.
They were honored for their work responding to a December 2024 call at a Rosslyn supermarket, in which staff sought police assistance after an individual reportedly brandished a knife during a dispute with store personnel.
The suspect was located nearby at the Rosslyn Metro station and fatally shot in a struggle.
According to the citation:
“During this encounter, the suspect drew a knife and advanced aggressively, injuring Cpl. Stanley as [officers] worked to keep themselves and others safe. Facing a clear and imminent threat, Cpl. Stanley was forced to take decisive action to protect everyone present. After the incident, both Cpl. Stanley and Sgt. Francis quickly shifted focus to provide aid to the suspect, demonstrating compassion and professionalism even in the aftermath of a perilous confrontation.”
Presented with the Life-Saving Award were ACPD Cpl. Jason Pardee, Cpl. John Craig, Cpl. Kristina Mulrooney, Officer Marc Landicho, Officer Zachary Hackfeld and Officer Trevor Wright.
They were honored for their response to a November 2025 stabbing incident in the 200 block of N. Glebe Road.
According to the citation:
“Due to the officers’ swift and coordinated lifesaving efforts, both victims survived, underwent successful surgery and were discharged within days of the incident.”
Earning a Life-Saving Award at the ceremony was Ryan Scarzella, a supervisor with the Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management.
Scarzella was honored for providing phone-based instructions after a 73-year-old man had collapsed and was unconscious and not breathing.
Scarzella “assumed direct responsibility for the call and delivered clear, precise and effective CPR instructions to the caller,” helping to restore the victim’s breathing before the arrival of first-responders.
Honored with a Meritorious Service Award from the county’s Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management Department was the team that led a simulation to track and reunify students with families in a crisis situation.
The simulation drew more than 160 sworn and civilian personnel from across the county government and school system.
Led by John Paras, the team also included Eric Petroski and Deborah de la Fuente of the Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management; Battalion Chief Matthew Cobb and Capt. II Nathaniel Hiner of ACFD; ACPD Sgt. Brian Reed; Brandy Ellard of Arlington Public Schools; and Natalie Graver and Christopher McGrath.
Also presented with a Meritorious Service Award was ACFD’s Fire Training Academy staff, led by Battalion Chief Justin Tirelli and Captain II Ben O’Bryant.
Recruit Class 85 was led by O’Bryant and Firefighter Casey Raffensberger, with an instructor group that included Lt. Carlton Cole, Lt. Dan Hoppin, Lt. Willie Blakeney, Lt. Phil Kada, Firefighter Timothy “Clay” Perkins, Firefighter Sidney Trippett, Firefighter Travonn Bond, Firefighter Dane Foster and Firefighter Sean Brooks.
Another Meritorious Service Award went to ACPD’s Community Action Team. Members include Sgt. Ashley Barnickle, Cpl. John Craig, Cpl. Jamarcus Daley, Cpl. Keri McCarthy, Cpl. Daniel Izadpanah and Cpl. Jack Quinn.
Rosslyn Howard, an administrative specialist with the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office, received a Meritorious Service Award for more than 30 years of service to “build a more supportive and transformative correctional environment.”
All the honorees were worthy of accolades, said Melwood CEO and Chamber board member Larysa Kautz, who spoke at the ceremony.
“Their dedication makes Arlington a better place for all of us,” Kautz said.
