Heat Awards

2025 HEAT AWARDS PRESENTED AT VACP AND VSA

The Virginia State Police (VSP) Help Eliminate Auto Theft (HEAT) program presented the 2025 HEAT Awards to Virginia law enforcement agencies and officers to recognize their efforts in reducing vehicle theft and theft of vehicle parts across the Commonwealth.

Special Agent Craig Hudson presented the awards on August 26 during the annual conference of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation (VACP) held in Williamsburg. Senior Special Agent Shannon M. Pinto presented the awards on September 16 during the annual conference of the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association (VSA) in Virginia Beach.

HEAT Awards presented at VACP | August 26, 2025

AGENCY AWARDS

Winners

Salem Police Department

Henrico County Police Department

Finalist

Chesterfield County Police Department

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Winners

Detective Matthew Hays, Culpeper Police Department

Crime Analyst Michelle Walczyk, Culpeper Police Department

Corporal Kevin Bates, Chesterfield County Police Department 

Finalists

Officer Diana McCarthy, Henrico County Police Division

Officer Kerri Winn, Henrico County Police Division

Officer Brandon Tyler, Henrico County Police Division

Certificates of Merit

Detective Jared Bridges, Salem Police Department 

Officer Garret Christen, Henrico County Police Division

Officer Austin Hileman, Henrico County Police Division

Detective William F. Sankbeil, Roanoke City Police Department

ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH

Winner

Trooper Matthew L. Hedgepeth

Finalists

Special Agent Hayden Dufont

Trooper Joseph Pritchett

Certificates of Merit

Trooper Robert Morris

DMV Special Agent Wesley Simms

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

(Ret.) Detective Hao Truong, Newport News Police Department

AGENCY AWARDS

Winner

New Kent County Sheriff’s Office

Certificates of Merit

Appomattox County Sheriff’s Office

Spotsylvania County Sherrif’s Office

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Winner

Deputy Juan Servellon, New Kent County Sheriff’s Office

Finalist

Deputy William Dyer, New Kent County Sheriff’s Office

Certificates of Merit

Deputy Xavier Estrada, Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office

Deputy David Farner, Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office

Master Deputy Shaun Jurgens, Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office

PUBLIC OUTREACH

Certificate of Merit

Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office


“These awards go beyond plaques and titles—they represent real people and real lives made safer through our HEAT program,” said First Sgt. Peter Lazear. “From community education to smart enforcement, this work reduces crime, protects property and gives Virginians greater peace of mind.”

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