Four Town of Vienna Police Officers Honored

March 26, 2008 | Virginia News

On March 13, 2008 the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce held the 30th Annual Valor Awards ceremony. The event was held at the Hilton McLean in Tysons Corner, Virginia. Attendees and recipients of awards from various area departments attended the ceremony. The Town of Vienna Police Department, Town of Herndon Police Department, Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, Fairfax County Police Department and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department all had honorees awarded at the event.

Individuals that become Firefighters, Paramedics, Police Officers, and Deputy Sherriff’s do not embark upon those careers seeking recognition. They choose these paths because of their desire to help others, maintain order in society, save lives, and protect property. The Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce chooses to honor these employees for their efforts and sacrifices on behalf of the residents and businesses in the community. The emcee for the 2008 Valor Awards Ceremony was Award winning journalist Leon Harris from ABC7/ WJLA- TV.

This year the Town of Vienna Police Department had four of their own recognized and receive awards for their efforts. They are (above from left to right) Master Police Officer Jarod Evans, Master Police Officer H. Trent Nelson, Master Police Officer J. Michael Oliver, and Sergeant Anthony Clingerman. A brief summary of the events which lead to these officers receiving their awards is written below.

Master Police Officer Jarod Evans – Lifesaving Award
In December 2006 responded for a reported drug overdose. When MPO Evans arrived, he found a young man lying on the floor surrounded by syringes, spoons, a smoking device, and white powder. MPO Evans ascertained that he was not breathing but did have a very shallow pulse. MPO Evans began administering rescue breaths until the subject was able to breath on his own.

Sergeant Anthony Clingerman – Lifesaving Award
A Fairfax County Police Officer received information that an elderly man was missing and was possibly suicidal. Further investigation revealed that the man was staying at a hotel within the Town of Vienna. Sergeant Clingerman obtained a key to the room in which the man was registered. After knocking and receiving no answer, Sergeant Clingerman and the other officer entered the room and found the gentleman slumping forward with a rope around his neck. The Fairfax County Officer, PFC Brooks Gillingham cut the rope from around the man’s neck and he and Sergeant Clingerman began performing CPR. When rescue units arrived, the man had a shallow pulse and was breathing.

Master Police Officer J. Michael Oliver, Master Police Officer H. Trent Nelson – Lifesaving Award; Sergeant Anthony Clingerman – Silver Medal of Valor
In January of 2007 a citizen reported a vehicle parked along a roadway with a female subject inside and no engine running. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue units arrived and found an unresponsive woman sitting in the vehicle. MPO Oliver and MPO Nelson arrived soon after along with Sergeant Clingerman. Sergeant Clingerman decided to force entry in to the vehicle. As the officers began to attempt to gain entry, the woman produced a large knife and moved it around her face and neck area.

As the other officers distracted the woman, MPO Oliver got a Halligan Bar from the fire apparatus and broke out the passenger window. Sergeant Clingerman then opened the door and started to reach for the woman. The woman swung the knife at him and narrowly missed his face. A discharge from a Taser conductive energy device was ineffective. Sergeant Clingerman was then able to secure the knife as other personnel handcuffed her. The woman was then transported to the hospital for observation.

This is MPO H. Trent Nelson and MPO Jarod Evans’ 2nd Lifesaving Award. The Town of Vienna Police Department has been participating in the Valor Awards Ceremony since 2005. During those three years, Vienna Officers have been honored 10 times for various valorous and lifesaving events.

Please contact MPO Bill Murray for further information at 703.255.6396 or