Recognizing the Best
For decades, the HEAT program has been annually recognizing the extraordinary efforts of our federal, state and local law enforcement partners as they diligently work to help eliminate auto theft across the Commonwealth. To be considered for an award, nominees must demonstrate superlative efforts in at least two of the four key areas:
- Intelligence
- Prevention
- Enforcement
- Recovery
The HEAT Awards may also recognize several additional categories to include our private partnerships:
- Major Case Award
- Private Sector Award
- Public Outreach Award
A Level Playing Field
The HEAT Awards have been structured so larger agencies with more resources compete against comparably-sized agencies. Each award category is based upon the size of the population served by the agency. One agency and individual Winner will be recognized from each of these categories. Additional agencies and individuals may be honored as Finalists or Certificate of Merit recipients. The categories of population served are:
- Fewer than 5,000 people
- 5,001 to 20,000
- 20,001 to 100,000
- 100,000+
- Across the Commonwealth
Who Can Enter
The annual HEAT Awards is open to all federal, state and local Virginia law enforcement agencies and their employees who are engaged in the mission to help eliminate auto theft. Select private industry partners who actively combat vehicle theft are also considered. The HEAT Awards are typically presented each year at the Virginia Sheriff’s Association and/or the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation annual conferences.
2021 HEAT Awards
The 2021 HEAT Awards recognized efforts made between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021. The first presentation of the 2021 HEAT Awards took place in Williamsburg on August 23 at the VACP annual conference. See below for photographs from the event as well as a list of honorees.
AGENCY AWARDS
Agency Winner (20,001-100,000 population served)
Salem Police Department
Agency Finalist (100,000+ population served)
Henrico County Division of Police
Agency Winner (100,000+ population served)
Chesterfield County Police Department
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Winners
VCU Police Department
Detective Kenneth Olds
Detective Frederic Wiggins
Hampton Police Department
Detective Rachel Sills
Virginia State Police
Trooper Jordan Corvin
Finalists
Salem Police Department
Sergeant Mark Adkins
Henrico County Police Division
Officer Jordan Devers
Officer Ramona Hoppes
Officer Jason Stender
Officer John Dalane
Virginia State Police
Special Agent Heather Marshall
Trooper Harold Campbell
Trooper Michaeline Salladay
Trooper Daniel Vaughan
Certificates of Merit
Salem Police Department
Lieutenant Sean Slusser
Henrico County Police Division
Detective James Gray
Officer Richard Mallory
Officer Christopher Minter
Virginia State Police
Trooper Edward Taylor
MAJOR CASE AWARD
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Senior Special Agent Jason Warren
Analyst Meleta Leonard
Program Administrative Specialist II Shakeima Chisholm
Richmond Police Department
Detective Alexandria Davila
MAJOR CASE AWARD
Culpeper Police Department
Detective Nolan Overby
Virginia State Police
Senior Special Agent Michael Jones
Special Agent Frederick Richens
The second presentation of the 2021 HEAT Awards took place in Roanoke on September 14 at the VSA annual conference. See below for photographs from the event as well as a list of honorees.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Winners
Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office
Detective Lucas Jacobs
Hanover County Sheriff’s Office
Investigator Steven Tomlinson
Finalist
Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Jason Hager
Certificates of Merit
Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office
Sergeant Brian Seay
Deputy Jessica DeLage
Deputy Tanner Poitras
PUBLIC OUTREACH AWARD
Suffolk Sheriff’s Office
Nominations for the 2021 awards are closed; however, nominations for the 2022 HEAT Awards will be opening in June, 2022. For more information about the HEAT Awards, please visit our Contact Us page or email the HEAT program directly at VSPAutoTheft@vsp.virginia.gov.