HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2010-04-15 Valor Awards
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Betsy Fields
Research & Communications Manager
703‐771‐2734
Leesburg Residents & Police Department Staff Honored
at 25th Annual Valor Awards
Leesburg, VA (April 15, 2010) – Two Leesburg residents and a dozen Leesburg Police Department
employees were honored at the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce’s 25th annual Valor Awards on
Tuesday, April 13, 2010.
Leesburg residents Robert and Frances Belote received Citizens Awards in recognition of their
“grace under pressure” while held hostage in their own home by an armed man on July 10, 2009.
That morning, the man had attempted to rob a Leesburg jewelry store, but fled on foot after
following the shop owner out of the store. He then broke into a home on Royal Street and, after
tying up the occupants, stole their vehicle which he later abandoned near the Belotes’ Valley View
Avenue home. At about 1:00 p.m., he entered the Belotes’ home and took the couple hostage,
locking them in a bathroom. Mr. and Mrs. Belote were able to use a cell phone to call 911 and alert
the authorities to their situation. The Leesburg Police Department activated the Department’s
Emergency Response Team, which is comprised of tactical officers and crisis negotiators, and began
negotiating with the suspect via cell phone. Eight hours later, the hostage situation was resolved
peacefully, without major injury to the Belotes, the suspect or law enforcement officers. Leesburg
Chief of Police Joe Price, who served as Incident Commander, gave much of the credit for the
successful outcome of the situation to Mr. and Mrs. Belote.
“Mr. and Mrs. Belote were able to build a rapport with the suspect and helped convince him that
surrendering was the only course of action,” Price said. “They remained calm in incredibly difficult
circumstances. This situation could have very easily gone in a different direction.”
Detective Matt Hackney, of the Leesburg Police Department, and Sergeant Christopher Coderre and
K‐9 Gero, of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, received Bronze Medals of Valor for their actions
in responding to the hostage situation. While entering the Belotes’ garage to attempt a rescue, they
confronted the suspect who fired at both Detective Hackney and Sgt Coderre yet both officers held
their position putting themselves at great personal risk. Detective Doug Shaw, who served as the
primary negotiator during the eight‐hour hostage situation, received a Certificate of Valor.
Members of the Leesburg Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team, including Detective Doug
TOL PR 2010‐04‐15 Valor Awards
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Shaw, Detective Thomas Thompson, Sergeant Steven Pebler, Sergeant TJ Moore, Sergeant Wael
Abilmona, Master Police Officer Chris Tidmore, Master Police Officer William Potter, Officer Eric
Wakeham, Communications Technician Sharon Riley and former Officer Carrie Cline, as well as Ms.
Beth Masker and Ms. Deborah Snyder with the Loudoun County Department of Mental Health,
were honored with a Unit Citation for their efforts on July 10, 2009.
In addition, Master Police Officer Greg Parsons and Officer Nick Martin received Life Saving Awards
for their efforts in resuscitating a woman in respiratory arrest on March 1, 2009. Parsons and
Martin responded to a residence at the Fieldstone Apartments in northwest Leesburg and began
rescue breathing efforts until emergency medical personnel arrived. Their prompt response,
immediate assessment of the situation and quick action was credited with saving the woman’s life.
“While we are never happy when these situations arise, these awards demonstrate the level of
preparedness of our emergency personnel. We have an exemplary team, who prove themselves
time and again,” said John Wells, Leesburg Town Manager. “The citizens of Leesburg should be
proud of the men and women to serve as our first responders.”
Robert & Frances Belote, center, with Leesburg officials and members of the Emergency Response Team at the 25th
annual Valor Awards
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