On January 23, 2019, the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office held its Quarterly Awards Ceremony that honors years of service, meritorious service, community service, and life-saving actions. During the ceremony Sheriff Jim O’Sullivan recognized 6 individuals for their service above the call of duty.
Sheriff Jim O’Sullivan presented Senior Deputy N. Peng with the “Award of Excellence” for volunteering her services as an interpreter and translator, not only for the Sheriff’s Office, but for the Chesapeake Police Department and Homeland Security. Senior Deputy Peng is bilingual and fluent in Mandarin. She recently helped translate for the Chesapeake Police Department during the high-profile “Pokemon Go” murder investigation. She also played a critical role in the Department of Homeland Security’s investigation into several massage parlors in Virginia Beach.
Sheriff Jim O’Sullivan presented Senior Deputy C. Gray and Master Deputy H. Gard with the “Life-Saving Award.” He also presented Troy Merritt with a “Citizen’s Service Award.” Gray, Gard, and Merritt were the first to respond to a stabbing in progress outside the Chesapeake General District Courthouse. The three gentleman reacted immediately to subdue the suspect and detain him.
Sheriff Jim O’Sullivan presented Deputies Q. Burke and R. Hastings Jr. with “Medals of Valor.” In the early hours of November 17, 2019, Burke and Hastings were returning from executing a “temporary detention order” when they came upon a multiple vehicle accident in the Afton Mountains. An 18-wheeler had hit some black ice, crashed into a tour bus and overturned. The driver of the 18-wheeler was pinned in his vehicle. As the first to arrive at the scene, Burke and Hastings secured the scene, called for help, and began giving first aid to the driver. They worked with the fire department to free the driver from the cab of his vehicle and to evacuate the tour bus. Meanwhile, seven other vehicles collided following the initial crash. Everyone survived!
