For a decade, the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce has had the privilege of bringing our business community together to recognize the extraordinary men and women who serve and protect our region.
On August 19,2026, that tradition continued as first responders, public safety leaders, business leaders and community partners gathered at the Fredericksburg Convention Center for the 10th Annual First Responders Appreciation Breakfast.
Representing Caroline County, King George County, the City of Fredericksburg, Stafford County and Spotsylvania County, this year’s honorees demonstrated the many forms that service can take, from lifesaving actions and acts of heroism to investigative excellence, innovation, mentorship and careers dedicated to protecting others.
Celebrating a Decade of Service
This year’s breakfast marked an important milestone: 10 years of bringing our region together to say thank you.
Cory McGookin, Executive Director of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation, Inc., delivered the keynote address before the Chamber recognized individuals and teams whose courage, professionalism and commitment have made an impact on their agencies and communities.
The awards highlighted an important message that carried throughout the morning: keeping our communities safe takes a team.
It takes the first responders arriving on scene, investigators working behind the scenes, communications professionals answering calls, trainers preparing the next generation and countless others whose work may never be visible to the public.
Innovation, Investigation and Community Impact
The Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office Behavioral Health Unit received the Business of First Responding Award, recognizing Sergeant Toni Dean, Deputy Corey Cox, Deputy Dillon Jackson, Deputy Abigail Beach and Rappahannock Area Community Services Board Co-Responder Karen Wright.
Deputy William Wright of the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office received the Innovation in Service Award for creativity, initiative and a forward-thinking approach to serving his agency and community.
Community impact was also recognized through two special awards. Kohen Brawner received the Civilian Lifesaving Award through King George Fire & Rescue, demonstrating that extraordinary courage isn’t limited to those who wear a badge or uniform.
Deputy Frank Fleming of the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office received the Community Hero Award.
Supporting Those Who Serve
Some of the most important work in public safety happens outside of the spotlight.
The Excellence in Training Award recognized Legend Van Den Ende of Angel Rides and Lieutenant Jeff Stocker of Stafford County Fire & Rescue for their commitment to preparing and developing others.
The Behind the Scenes Champion Award honored Tanya Ison of the Virginia Ambulance Association, Ivan Vitalie of the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office and Jessica Carter of the Fredericksburg Police Department.
The Lifeline Award for Emergency Communications recognized the professionals whose calm voices, quick decisions and coordination provide the connection between someone calling for help and the first responders on their way.
Tonya Barb of the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office and Jamal Harvey of King George Fire & Rescue were honored, along with a collaborative team from the City of Fredericksburg:
Fredericksburg Police Department: Officer Alexander Donnelly, Officer Brenton Corsano, Officer Nicholas Ruggiere, Officer Kevin Hellmuth, Officer Mauricio Hernandez-Rios, Officer Makayalla Farino, Officer Matthew Purcell, Officer Jenna Sumpter, Officer Christopher Tiernan, Detective Stephen Lamar, Lieutenant Robert Rivers and Lieutenant Paul Chewning.
Fredericksburg Sheriff’s Office: Deputy Trevor Rogers and Sergeant Joseph Porter.
Fredericksburg Communications: Communications Supervisor Samantha Markey, Tiffany Young, Amber Premore, Emma Pitts and Kristin Kinealy.
Courage When Every Second Counts
The Heroism Awards recognized first responders whose courage, judgment and actions made a difference during dangerous and life-threatening situations.
Deputy Logan Parker and Deputy Samuel Tessari of the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office received the Bronze – Courage and Judgment Award.
Three teams received the Unit Award – Team Valor:
- King George: Lieutenant Harold Myers, Medic Valerie Myers, Fire & Rescue Technician Brian Seay and Deputy Kelli Houlihan
- Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office: Scott Northrop, Detective Jesse Hanrahan, Sergeant Tanner Poitras, Deputy Mark Fuller, Detective Bryse Beltethon, Sergeant Bradley Lungstrom, First Sergeant Thomas Grasso, Deputy Alex Johnson, First Sergeant Mike Barber, Deputy Corey Cox, Deputy Wayne Minor and Sergeant Chris Staats
- Fredericksburg: Deputy Gannon Sullivan, Officer Hendrickson and Joshua Price
Their recognition highlighted the courage of individuals as well as the extraordinary teamwork required when responding to difficult and unpredictable situations
Honoring Fire & EMS Excellence
The Lifesaving Award was presented to Joshua Johnson, Hunter Ridings, Andrew DeMasi, Adam Barnette, Keith Kramer and William Carlton of Spotsylvania Fire, Rescue & Emergency Management, recognizing exceptional medical skill and teamwork during a life-threatening emergency.
Team Excellence Awards recognized:
Spotsylvania Fire, Rescue & Emergency Management: Captain Timothy Ducheney, Technician I Zachary Davis, Firefighter Dylan Whitley, Technician II Frankie Webster, Technician I Lane Catlett and Technician I Earl Packett.
Caroline County Fire & Rescue: Samuel Arbogast, Noah Powell, Megan Waldron, Michael Southworth, Dominic Dunn, Nathan Johnson, Nathaniel Brown, Mary Bentley and Todd Schlund.
King George Fire & Rescue: Battalion Chief Dan Dixon, Battalion Chief Chris Smith, Captain Matthew Russell, Lieutenant Triston Beverly, Master Technician Elliot Ganson, DPO Geoffrey Knight, Firefighter Charles Bullock, Firefighter Haley Zappos and Firefighter Marley Ramirez-Tuthill.
Legacy in Service
The Legacy in Service Award honored individuals whose careers and contributions have made a lasting impact on public safety in the Fredericksburg region.
Recipients were:
- Scott Myers, Stafford County
- Sheila Jones, City of Fredericksburg
The morning concluded with the Lifetime Achievement Awards, one of the event’s highest recognitions.
The 2026 honorees were:
- Roger L. Harris, Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office
- Christopher Giles, King George County Sheriff’s Office
- James “Jay” Cullinan, Spotsylvania Fire, Rescue & Emergency Management
Thank You to Those Who Answer the Call
For 10 years, the First Responders Appreciation Breakfast has given our regional business community an opportunity to stand alongside our public safety agencies and recognize those who answer the call when our communities need them most.
This year’s honorees represent different agencies, jurisdictions and areas of public safety, but they share a common commitment: service to others.
To every first responder serving Caroline County, King George County, the City of Fredericksburg, Stafford County and Spotsylvania County, thank you for your courage, sacrifice and dedication to our region.
And to the businesses, sponsors and community partners who continue to support this event and our first responders, thank you for helping us celebrate these remarkable individuals.
Ten years. Five localities. One region coming together to honor those who serve.