Norfolk, Va. - The wife of Norfolk Police officer Brian Jones, who was killed in the line of duty on May 30, 2014, accepted an Ultimate Sacrifice award on her husband's behalf Friday. The award was presented by the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce during its annual Valor Awards ceremony.
Jones' widow, Rebekah, says it has been a rough road for her family, but that she and the couple's three young children have had amazing support.
"The support has been amazing. I have to say our Norfolk Police Department has been beyond perfect. I couldn't ask for a better department and better support. Our chief, everyone has just been very supportive, obviously seen here today, everyone. I can't say thank you enough," she says. "I’ve had officers cut my grass, clean my pool, come clean my house. I’ve had them cook us food. I mean, so many things you can’t name them all. I mean, not just local police departments, nationwide. Police patches from all over the country have showed up for my kids, police bears made out of my husband’s uniforms, hair bows for my daughter. There’s so much, so much support. I could never name it all but I’m grateful for all of it.”
More than 20 law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMS personnel from the five Southside cities (Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach and Suffolk) Police, Fire and EMS departments were also honored at the ceremony.
The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce holds the event to recognize and thank these public safety heroes who put their lives on the line to keep our community safe.
The following awards were presented:
Bronze Medal of Valor
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
2015 Valor Awards
Bronze Medal of Valor
Sergeant Ryan Young
Chesapeake Police
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
2015 Valor Awards
Bronze Medal of Valor
Senior Police Officer Michael Slezak
Chesapeake Police
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
2015 Valor Awards
Bronze Medal of Valor
Officer Jason Saburn
Chesapeake Police
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
2015 Valor Awards
Bronze Medal of Valor
Officer Jose Ramos
Chesapeake Police
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
2015 Valor Awards
Bronze Medal of Valor
Fire Lieutenant Steven A. Henkle
Suffolk Fire
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
2015 Valor Awards
Bronze Medal of Valor
Officer George Whitley
Norfolk Police
Silver Medal of Valor:
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
2015 Valor Awards
Silver Medal of Valor
Captain Jonathan Rigolo
Virginia Beach Fire
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
2015 Valor Awards
Silver Medal of Valor
Master Firefighter Thomas Stone
Virginia Beach Fire
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
2015 Valor Awards
Silver Medal of Valor
Firefighter Russell Bargy
Norfolk Fire
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
2015 Valor Awards
Silver Medal of Valor
Firefighter Todd Cox
Norfolk Fire
Gold Medal of Valor:
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
2015 Valor Awards
Gold Medal of Valor
Officer Toofan Shahsiah
Norfolk Police
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
2015 Valor Awards
Gold Medal of Valor
Officer Curtis Allison
Norfolk Police
Investigative Merit Award:
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
2015 Valor Awards
Investigative Merit Award
Sergeant Jeff Lurie
Suffolk Police
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
2015 Valor Awards
Investigative Merit Award
Detective Alex Johnson
Suffolk Police
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
2015 Valor Awards
Investigative Merit Award
Detective William Shockley
Suffolk Police
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
2015 Valor Awards
Investigative Merit Award
Investigator Melvin Grover
Norfolk Police
Scholarship:
Sergeant Andrew C. Booden
Norfolk Police Department
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