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
HEAT Awards presented at VSA | September 16, 2025
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.”