2026 HEAT Awards Presented at VACP and VSA
The Virginia State Police (VSP) Help Eliminate Auto Theft (HEAT) program presented the 2026 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 31 during the annual conference of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation (VACP) held in Roanoke, VA. 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 31, 2026
AGENCY AWARDS
Winners
Henrico County Police Division
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Winners
Officer Paul Carson, Warsaw Police Department
Detective Zachary Hyman, Suffolk Police Department
Finalists
Master Detective Marko Anton, Chesterfield County Police Division
Master Police Officer Benjamin Manning, Norfolk County Police Division
Certificates of Merit
Officer Garret Christen, Henrico County Police Division
Lieutenant Amy Fisher, Henrico County Police Division
Corporal Glenn Patrick Keough, Henrico County Police Division
Officer Hunter Ivester, Henrico County Police Division
ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH
Winner
Senior Special Agent Wesley Simms
Certificate of Merit
Special Agent Dwayne Brown
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Corporal Detective Guy Lilly, Chesterfield County Police Department
HEAT Awards presented at VSA | September 16, 2026
AGENCY AWARDS
Winner
New Kent County Sheriff’s Office
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Finalists
Captain Wyatt Johnston, New Kent County Sheriff’s Office
Chief Deputy Joey McLaughlin, New Kent County Sheriff’s Office
Certificates of Merit
Deputy David Farner, Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office
Master Deputy Shaun Jurgens, Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office
PUBLIC OUTREACH
Winners
Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office
Suffolk Sheriff’s Office
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Captain Timothy J. Bryner, Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office
“Auto theft is often a crime of opportunity, which means small actions can make a big difference,” said Senior Special Agent Shannon M. Pinto. “Lock your vehicle, take your keys or key fob with you, remove valuables from sight and park in well-lit areas whenever possible. Those simple habits remain some of the most effective ways to reduce your risk.”