2026 VACP Law Enforcement Roadway Safety Champion Awards Presented

PHOTO GALLERY | SLIDE PRESENTATION

This year, awards were presented to agencies, teams, or individuals in ten categories. They are:

• Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) of the Year
• Occupant Protection Champion Award
• Crash Investigation Champion Award
• Roadway Safety Leadership Award Year
• Roadway Safety Innovation Award
• Public Information Champion Award
• Beyond the Traffic Stop Champion
• Rural Roadway Safety Champion Award
• Campus Roadway and Pedestrian Safety Champion Award 
• Commercial Vehicle Safety Champion Award

2026-27 VACP President Chief Travis Christian (Petersburg) presented the awards to the recipients. 

Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) of the Year

The DRE of the Year award is presented to an individual member of the DRE program who has demonstrated a commitment to enforcement, education, and community engagement to help decrease the incidents of impaired driving.  It may also include a DRE Instructor who has demonstrated superior knowledge, teaching ability, and dedication to advancing the field of impaired driving enforcement.  

The 2026 recipient is Corporal Creighton Byron, Chesterfield County Department.  

Corporal Byron of the Chesterfield County Police Department has demonstrated exceptional leadership, expertise, and dedication to impaired-driving enforcement as a Drug Recognition Expert. As the department's dedicated DUI Detection Officer and a founding member of its DRE program, he has become the agency's leading authority on DUI and drug-impaired driving investigations. In 2025, he recorded 65 DUI/DUID arrests, completed 23 DRE evaluations, and spent more than 5,800 hours serving as the department's on-call DRE. His expertise has earned recognition as an expert witness in Circuit Court, and he routinely assists officers, supervisors, and prosecutors to strengthen investigations and improve case outcomes.

Corporal Byron has made a lasting impact through innovation, training, and community outreach. He developed and taught impaired-driving courses for officers and prosecutors, created the "Drive to Arrive" program for Chesterfield County students with 11 presentations in 2025, and delivered numerous public education presentations promoting roadway safety. He has also advanced regional DRE capabilities through mentorship, collaboration with neighboring agencies, and exploration of emerging impaired-driving detection technologies. His commitment to education, program development, and public safety has strengthened impaired-driving enforcement throughout the region.  

Occupant Protection Champion Award

The Occupant Protection Champion Award is resented to an individual, team, or agency who understands that many people killed in crashes are unrestrained. The individual or team has shown an outstanding commitment to education, awareness, and enforcement of child passenger safety and safety belt laws. May include CPS Techs and Instructors who have shown an outstanding commitment to training and community education.

The 2026 agency recipient is the Roanoke Police Department.

The Roanoke Police Department is nominated based on its comprehensive efforts to improve seat belt use and occupant safety throughout 2025. The department demonstrated a strong commitment to roadway safety through active participation in DMV/NHTSA Click It or Ticket campaigns, extensive community outreach, and collaborative partnerships with the City Traffic Engineering Department and Virginia State Police. By analyzing crash data, officers targeted enforcement and educational initiatives in areas with high rates of unrestrained crashes, while also conducting several joint checkpoints and public awareness efforts focused on seat belt and child passenger safety.

The department combined enforcement, education, and training to achieve measurable results. Officers hosted and attended numerous community events aimed at adults, teen drivers, and children, emphasizing the importance of seat belt use for all vehicle occupants. Several officers completed crash reconstruction training to enhance their understanding of unrestrained crashes and prevention strategies. In 2025, the department issued 386 seat belt summonses and 51 child restraint summonses and partnered with Virginia State Police to conduct 12 safety checkpoints in high-crash locations. These efforts contributed to a significant increase in observed seat belt use, improving from 75% before the spring Click It or Ticket campaign to 90% following the fall campaign, demonstrating a substantial and measurable impact on occupant safety in the Roanoke community.  

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The 2026 individual co-recipients of the Occupant Protection Champion award are Officer Brittany Pike and Officer Stephen Coaker of the Henrico County Police Division. 

They were nominated for their exceptional leadership and dedication to the division’s Child Passenger Safety Seat Program. As certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs), they serve as the division’s primary child passenger safety resources, educating parents, caregivers, and community members on the proper use and installation of child safety seats, booster seats, and seat belts. Through seat check events and individualized assistance, they have significantly advanced community awareness of occupant protection and helped ensure young passengers are transported safely. [

Officers Pike and Coaker, with their CPST team, have completed approximately 400 child safety seat inspections and installations and organized nine community seat check events in the last two years. Officer Pike coordinates these events and collaborates with partners including the Virginia Department of Health, Virginia DMV, VCU Health, and other law enforcement agencies, while Officer Coaker manages one-on-one appointments for families. They have also provided free child safety seats to families in need and maintained program resources. Additionally, Officer Pike earned certification as a Prenatal Vehicle Safety Educator and is pursuing CPST Instructor certification, further expanding the program’s ability to educate families and train future child passenger safety technicians throughout Virginia. 

Crash Investigation Champion Award

This award is presented to an individual or team who understands investigating and reconstructing crash scenes is vital to enduring just resolution in criminal cases. This awardee has shown an exemplary commitment to investigating fatality and severe injury crashes, instruction, community education, and collaboration with other roadway safety stakeholders. 

The 2026 team recipient is the Fairfax County Police Department Crash Reconstruction Unit (CRU).

The Unit was nominated for its outstanding dedication to investigating serious and fatal crashes, supporting victims, and advancing roadway safety. Comprised of five detectives and one supplemental detective, the team investigated 69 major crashes in 2025, following 86 in 2024, and had already investigated 31 more by mid-2026. The unit is recognized for its meticulous investigative work, collaborative approach, and commitment to identifying critical evidence in complex cases involving fatalities, severe injuries, and significant public interest. Their thorough investigations, advanced techniques, and strong partnership with prosecutors have consistently helped ensure accountability and justice. 

Beyond investigations, the CRU demonstrates a strong commitment to education, technology, and community engagement. Team members instruct crash investigation courses, mentor officers, provide training to law enforcement and county staff, and participate in community outreach and high school safety presentations. The unit continually advances its expertise through specialized training in areas such as injury biomechanics, vehicle data recorders, drone operations, and emerging crash investigation technologies. By leveraging advanced tools, analyzing crash trends, and collaborating with transportation stakeholders to recommend roadway improvements, the CRU has made a lasting impact on traffic safety while providing compassionate support to crash victims and their families.  

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The 2026 individual recipient of the Crash Investigation Champion Award is Detective Gaetano Drago, Richmond Police Department.

Detective Drago was nominated for his exceptional crash investigation expertise, leadership, and commitment to justice. In 2025, he served as lead investigator on five major crash cases, including fatal incidents. In one particularly complex fatal crash investigation, he successfully reconstructed a compromised scene, coordinated with outside agencies, identified the responsible driver, secured a confession, and helped achieve a conviction. His meticulous documentation, ability to guide fellow investigators, and compassionate support of victims’ families demonstrate the professionalism, accountability, and dedication that distinguish him as a roadway safety champion. 

Beyond his casework, Detective Drago has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing roadway safety through training, education, and community outreach. He completed advanced crash investigation and Electronic Data Recorder (EDR) training, then shared that knowledge by helping train new police recruits. During 2025, he made 35 arrests related to crash investigations, participated in a high school mock crash program to educate students about the dangers of impaired driving. His combination of investigative excellence, mentorship, and public safety advocacy has made a significant impact on both the law enforcement community and the citizens he serves.

Roadway Safety Leadership Award

This award recognizes a law enforcement supervisor or command staff member, who is a driving force in making roadway safety a high-priority focus of his or her department. 

The 2026 recipient is Sheriff Lee Bailey, New Kent County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Bailey was nominated due to his commitment to identifying roadway safety challenges and implementing effective solutions. With more than 35 years of public service, he has consistently prioritized traffic safety through leadership, education, and enforcement. As a certified Child Passenger Safety Seat Instructor and Radar/LIDAR Speed Measurement Instructor, he still trains law enforcement officers and educates the public on occupant protection, speed management, impaired and distracted driving prevention, and commercial motor vehicle safety. He and his Team participate in regional traffic safety initiatives, collaboration with community partners, and advocacy for roadway safety legislation. Sheriff Bailey also leads local youth-focused safety programs and leads from the front remaining personally involved in traffic enforcement, viewing every traffic stop as an opportunity to educate drivers and prevent crashes.

One of Sheriff Bailey's most significant achievements was leading the development and implementation of one of Virginia's first work zone speed photo enforcement programs along the Interstate 64 construction corridor in New Kent County. Faced with a growing number of serious crashes and traffic disruptions, he coordinated with VDOT, state partners, and private vendors to establish a comprehensive program that launched in 2025. The results were substantial: work zone crashes decreased by approximately 50 percent, high-speed and multi-vehicle collisions declined significantly, and more than 100,000 speed enforcement citations contributed to meaningful reductions in vehicle speeds. His innovative approach has become a model for agencies across Virginia seeking to improve work zone safety. Through vision, collaboration, and measurable results, Sheriff Bailey has demonstrated exceptional leadership that has enhanced roadway safety, protected motorists and workers, and saved lives throughout the Commonwealth.

Roadway Safety Innovation Award

This award recognizes an individual, team, or agency for innovative enforcement, education, technology, and/or community engagement programs to enhance roadway safety in their community. 

The 2026 individual recipient is Sergeant Terry Rudolph, Loudoun Co. Sheriff’s Office.

Sergeant Rudolph was nominated for his proactive and innovative leadership in addressing the growing roadway safety concerns associated with e-bikes. Recognizing the rapid increase in e-bike use and related safety risks, Rudolph independently became the agency’s subject matter expert on e-bike laws, regulations, and safety issues. He helped develop a comprehensive public education campaign, including an informational brochure for riders, parents, and motorists, and served as a public spokesperson through media appearances and community outreach efforts. His work extended beyond law enforcement, as he collaborated with legislators and community stakeholders to improve awareness and explore future policy solutions. 

Despite the absence of formal training programs on this emerging issue, Rudolph conducted extensive research, collaborated with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, and provided education to residents, law enforcement personnel, school resource officers, and members of the judiciary. In 2025, he served as the lead presenter at two community town halls focused on e-bike safety and routinely engaged with young riders and their families to promote safe and legal riding practices. His efforts resulted in increased public awareness, stronger community partnerships, and a more informed approach to e-bike enforcement and safety throughout Loudoun County, demonstrating a significant and measurable impact on roadway safety. 

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The 2026 agency recipient of the Roadway Safety Innovation Award is the Chesterfield County Police Department.

The nomination highlights CCPD’s broad, innovative approach to roadway safety, including a major pedestrian safety campaign after a spike in fatal pedestrian crashes, especially along Route 1. CCPD used bilingual outreach materials, mobile message boards, safety vests, business canvassing, ABC store safety stickers, targeted enforcement, and coordination with county transportation officials and Dominion Energy to repair and upgrade streetlights. These efforts were followed by a significant reduction in fatal pedestrian crashes in 2025. The department also launched the “People’s Choice Blitz,” a community-driven enforcement initiative that lets residents vote on roadway enforcement locations, generating strong public engagement and media attention.

The nomination also emphasizes CCPD’s use of education, technology, and partnerships to improve traffic safety. Initiatives included the “Chesterfield Drive to Arrive” impaired-driving program for high school students, development of a distracted/impaired driving simulator, automated school zone speed cameras, school bus stop-arm cameras, and adoption of the Urban SDK analytics platform to identify high-risk roadways and respond quickly to community concerns. CCPD also participated in regional enforcement partnerships, including commercial vehicle and Route 288 operations, and launched a “Back to Basics” effort that increased proactive traffic stops by 22.2% and DUI/DUID arrests by 11.2% from January through May 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. Overall, the nomination presents CCPD as an agency using practical innovation, community input, data, education, and regional collaboration to reduce crashes and improve roadway safety.

Public Information Champion Award

This award recognizes the individual public information officer or team who demonstrates innovative ways to raise awareness of roadway safety initiatives and to educate the community on roadway and pedestrian safety.  

The recipient is the Henrico County Public Safety Media Relations Team.

The Henrico County Police Division's Public Safety Media Relations (PSMR) Team was nominated for the 2026 VACP Public Information Champion Award for its outstanding work in promoting roadway safety through innovative public education and community engagement. The team develops high-quality videos, public awareness campaigns, news conferences, websites, and educational materials that effectively communicate critical safety information. Their commitment to professionalism, agency branding, and ensuring the public receives accurate, up-to-date information has made them a trusted source for roadway safety messaging. The key achievement was the "Never Too Safe on 2 Wheels" initiative, launched in 2024 to promote motorcycle and bicycle safety and expanded in 2025 to address concerns about juvenile crashes involving electric motorcycles and bicycles. Working with partners including Virginia State Police, Virginia DMV, Henrico Fire Division, Richmond Ambulance Authority, and AAA, the team created educational videos, public service announcements, and outreach materials that generated nearly 200,000 views and widespread media coverage. Their efforts increased community awareness, sparked public discussion about emerging roadway safety issues, and demonstrated the power of strategic communications in improving traffic safety. 

Beyond the Traffic Stop Champion Award

This award recognizes the law enforcement officer based upon a traffic stop that results in outstanding cases through professional police work to make arrests, solve crimes, and/or seizures of stolen property, narcotics etc. The award also highlights the resulting benefits to the community, law enforcement, roadway safety, and crime victims. 

The 2026 inaugural recipient is Officer Justin Hambley, Henrico County Police Division. 

Officer Hambley was nominated based on an extensive narcotics investigation that began with a routine traffic stop.  Officer Hambley stopped a vehicle displaying fictitious plates, discovered narcotics in plain view, and arrested the driver. Through a debrief, he developed intelligence on local drug traffickers and a long-term investigation involving surveillance, traffic stops, interviews, and search warrants. His efforts led to the execution of search warrants at multiple hotel rooms, resulting in the seizure of several drugs and U.S. currency with multiple arrests for possession with intent to distribute. 

Over the following months, Officer Hambley continued to cultivate sources, gather intelligence, and connect key suspects involved in a larger drug distribution network operating in the Williamsburg Road corridor. His investigation ultimately identified and removed a significant supplier, leading to the seizure of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and a firearm, as well as numerous arrests. The investigation culminated in the recovery of approximately 126 grams of cocaine and additional narcotics during hotel search warrants. What began as a single traffic stop evolved into a complex, multi-phase investigation that demonstrated Officer Hambley’s persistence, investigative expertise, and commitment to community safety. His proactive police work extended far beyond the initial stop, disrupting a major drug trafficking operation and improving public safety in the community. 

Rural Roadway Safety Champion Award

This award recognizes a rural law enforcement agency with innovative rural road safety campaigns that combine enforcement and community outreach to bring critical occupant protection and roadway safety messaging and enforcement to rural communities. 

The 2026 inaugural recipient is Officer Chris Reynolds, Pembroke Police Department. 

Officer Reynolds was nominated for his exceptional leadership in advancing rural traffic safety through a combination of enforcement, education, and community outreach. Officer Reynolds serves as a part-time officer with Pembroke PD and is also a Lieutenant with Narrows Police Department — serving in two jurisdictions gives him a unique ability to identify traffic trends, driver behaviors, and roadway safety concerns across Giles County. He has used this knowledge to help agencies develop targeted enforcement efforts and public education initiatives. Reynolds played a key role in creating and expanding the Pembroke Police Department's safe driving campaign, providing expertise on community engagement and social media strategies that significantly increased the campaign's reach and effectiveness.

What sets Reynolds apart is his commitment to collaboration, mentorship, and regional partnership. He has consistently shared successful traffic safety strategies, educational resources, and outreach techniques with neighboring agencies, helping smaller departments improve their roadway safety programs despite limited resources. Pembroke Police Chief Jenny Anderson, who nominated Reynolds, credits him with helping create data-driven and community-focused traffic safety initiatives that address the unique challenges of rural communities. His professionalism, dedication to public safety, and willingness to support other agencies have had a lasting impact on roadway safety efforts throughout the region, making him a strong candidate for this recognition.

Campus Roadway and Pedestrian Safety Champion Award

This award is presented to campus police, public safety, or security department, or individual employee, team or unit for outstanding service and initiatives supporting the effective promotion and enforcement of roadway and pedestrian safety. 

The 2026 inaugural recipient is the Virginia Commonwealth University Police Department.

VCU PD was nominated based on its comprehensive approach to improving safety across its urban campus environment, where more than 2.5 million vehicles and thousands of pedestrians, cyclists, and scooter riders travel each month. In response to pedestrian safety being identified as the community’s top concern, VCU PD implemented a three-pronged strategy centered on enforcement, education, and engagement. The department conducted targeted, data-driven enforcement operations in high-risk areas, issuing 2,435 traffic summonses and 1,079 parking citations in 2025. Focused initiatives on corridors such as Belvidere Street and Harrison Street led to significant reductions in pedestrian, bicycle, and scooter-related incidents, while partnerships with Richmond Police, Virginia State Police, and the City of Richmond enhanced enforcement visibility and roadway safety outcomes.

Beyond enforcement, VCU PD emphasized community education and collaborative problem-solving to create lasting safety improvements. The department’s Crime Prevention Unit participated in nearly 300 outreach events, reaching more than 72,000 people through direct engagement. Its "HEADS UP, RAMS!" social media campaign generated over 212,000 views and expanded awareness of pedestrian safety practices among students, employees, and visitors. VCU PD also established a dedicated travel-safety webpage and distributed safety messaging to more than 65,000 community members. Through partnerships with university leaders and city officials, the department helped implement infrastructure enhancements such as pedestrian signal re-timing, new crossing signs, speed studies, curb extensions, and turn-hardening projects. These efforts demonstrate VCU PD’s commitment to combining proactive enforcement, education, data analysis, and community partnerships to improve roadway and pedestrian safety across campus.

Commercial Vehicle Safety Champion Award

This award is presented to an individual or team, who demonstrates outstanding commitment to commercial motor vehicle safety through proactive enforcement, education, and/or outreach. 

The 2026 inaugural individual recipient is Lieutenant Billy Johnson, VA DMV Law Enforcement Division.

Lt. Johnson was nominated due to his exceptional leadership, enforcement expertise, training efforts, and statewide and national influence in commercial vehicle safety. Serving in numerous high-profile transportation and enforcement leadership roles, he helps shape CMV safety policies and compliance initiatives across Virginia, the United States, and North America. In 2025, he personally conducted 124 roadside inspections, identified 273 violations, and placed 67 unsafe drivers or vehicles out of service, while also leading major enforcement operations that uncovered an additional 136 violations and generated significant safety outcomes. 

Lt. Johnson is a dedicated educator who trains law enforcement officers across the Commonwealth and beyond. His leadership in implementing innovative enforcement technologies, coordinating large-scale safety operations, and advancing industry-wide policy improvements demonstrates a sustained commitment to reducing crashes, improving regulatory compliance, and making Virginia’s roadways safer for all motorists.

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The 2026 inaugural team recipient is the Virginia Beach Police Department Motor Carrier Squad.

The Motor Carrier Squad was nominated for its strong commitment to commercial motor vehicle safety through proactive enforcement, specialized investigations, training, mentoring, and regional collaboration. The team expanded commercial vehicle enforcement capabilities across the region by training and mentoring officers, participating in regional CMV enforcement initiatives, and hosting inspection operations. Their work emphasized both enforcement and education, helping improve compliance with state and federal commercial vehicle regulations while supporting public safety and protecting roadway infrastructure.

During the 2025 evaluation period, the squad produced significant measurable results, including 154 overweight citations totaling $593,151.42 in civil overweight fines and hundreds of commercial vehicle inspections that removed unsafe vehicles and drivers from the roadway. MPO Reader conducted 149 inspections, issued 744 traffic citations, and supported training in crash investigation and CMV enforcement; MPO Anoia conducted 179 inspections, placing 59 vehicles and 25 drivers out of service; and MPO Lazar conducted 202 inspections while expanding hazardous materials inspection capacity and overseeing tow program compliance. Sergeant Mileski provided supervisory leadership, supported more than ten serious CMV crash investigations, and helped foster a team culture focused on training, collaboration, and professional development. Collectively, the squad’s enforcement, mentorship, and investigative work made a clear impact on commercial vehicle safety and roadway safety in the Virginia Beach region.

Congratulations to all of the 2025 VACP Roadway Safety Champions!

The VACP would like to congratulate and express our sincere gratitude to all of our 2026 Roadway Safety Champions for their continuous dedication and hard work in keeping our communities and roadways safe!