Virginia Police Chiefs Select Ms. Julie Couch to Receive 2026 OCLE Award
The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation (VACP) on September 1, 2026 presented Ms. Julie Couch of the Fairfax County Police Department Criminal Justice Academy with the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Law Enforcement. The award was presented at the 101st VACP Annual Conference held this year in Roanoke, Virginia. The Honorable Abigail D. Spanberger, 75th Governor of Virginia, was the Guest Speaker and also assisted 2025-26 VACP President Chief John P. Clair (Blacksburg) with the presentation of the awards.
The Award for Outstanding Contribution to Law Enforcement (OCLE) is rarely bestowed, simply because the bar is so high. This award recognizes an individual’s conspicuous act or achievement in the performance of their duty that results in an exceptional and responsible contribution to the law enforcement profession here in the Commonwealth.
Ms. Julie Couch of the Fairfax County Police Department Criminal Justice Academy is recognized with the VACP Award for Outstanding Contribution to Law Enforcement for her extraordinary service, compassion, leadership, and dedication to the law enforcement community and surviving families of fallen officers.
Although she serves as Testing Coordinator for the Academy, Ms. Couch’s impact reaches far beyond her official duties. For more than a decade, she has single-handedly organized the Academy’s annual COPS Kids event during National Police Week in partnership with Concerns of Police Survivors, creating a day of healing, mentorship, connection, and joy for children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.
Each year, she coordinates a meaningful experience for approximately 75 to 150 surviving children from across the country, ensuring that both returning participants and first-time attendees feel welcomed, supported, and valued during an emotional week. Her work includes coordinating transportation and bus arrivals escorted by motorcycle officers from across the nation, arranging counseling and mentorship space, securing donations, and transforming the Academy into a welcoming, child-centered environment with meals, gifts, entertainment, and carnival-style activities.
She also helps organize the annual police helicopter flyover and siren salute, a memorable tribute honoring fallen officers and their families.
What makes Ms. Couch’s work truly exceptional is that she accomplishes all of this largely on her own while maintaining her full-time responsibilities, motivated not by recognition but by genuine compassion and a deep commitment to honoring the fallen and supporting their families.
Ms. Julie Couch exemplifies selfless service, dedication, and the best qualities of public service. Her work has touched countless lives and has become a deeply meaningful part of National Police Week for surviving children and families nationwide. She is exceptionally deserving of this recognition.
The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation (www.vachiefs.org) is a statewide charitable organization of federal, state and local police chiefs and other law enforcement executives dedicated to improving the professionalism of police agencies in Virginia and to providing training and education programs for law enforcement executives. The Association was founded in 1926 and has more than 600 members.
Photos are available at https://photos.vachiefs.org/VACP-Conferences/2026-VACP-Annual-Conference/2026-VACP-Awards-Banquet/
Contact: Ms. Erin Schrad, Director of Operations & Communications
Mobile: (804) 512-5162 Email: erin@vachiefs.org
For Immediate Release