VSP Personnel Earn American Red Cross National Lifesaving Awards

Media Release – Feb. 17, 2021

RICHMOND – Eighteen Virginia State Police personnel have achieved American Red Cross National Lifesaving Awards for Professional Responders, one of the organization’s highest honors. The Red Cross awards are presented to professional responders and healthcare professionals who have saved or sustained a life as a direct result of Red Cross training.

“Each of these dedicated members of Virginia State Police have not only upheld their pledge ‘to aid those in danger or distress,’ but they have also exemplified what it means to be part of an organization dedicated to the preservation of life,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “The pledge that each trooper takes when they start upon this life of service is not just a statement made in the moment; it is a way of life and the members of this organization proudly prove that day after day.”

The Red Cross National Lifesaving Awards are presented annually at the Virginia State Police Superintendent’s Awards. However, due to Covid-19 precautions, the 2020 awards were presented at each state police division headquarters by the recipient’s respective Division Commander. This allowed troopers to be celebrated by their peers for their extraordinary actions.

“On behalf of the men and women of the American Red Cross here in Virginia, we are so pleased to award these honorees for their heroic efforts in service to the Commonwealth,” said Jonathan McNamara, Communications Director of the American Red Cross Virginia Region. “Their efforts to help save lives are the perfect embodiment of the mission of the Red Cross and highlight why it is so important for all of us to be trained in lifesaving skills.”

The Red Cross National Lifesaving Awards program was originally conceived in 1911 and recognizes those who embody the spirit of Red Cross Training Services.

The awardees were recognized for wide ranging acts of service including, clearing airways, administering CPR, as well as administering first aid for gunshot wounds and other traumatic injuries.

VSP Richmond Division I
Trooper Kenneth S. Hammell, Jr.
Trooper Joseph P. Hylan

VSP Appomattox Division III
Special Agent R. Clay Overholt
Trooper Stephen J. Nicely, Jr.

VSP Wytheville Division IV
Trooper Robert F. Giles, Jr.

VSP Chesapeake Division V
First Sergeant Michael R. McCann
First Sergeant James Russo
Sergeant Michael A. Rossetti
Trooper Donald. T. Murphy
Trooper Matthew B. Pope
Trooper James H. Wheelhouse

VSP Fairfax Division VII
Sergeant Andre D. Jones
Trooper Patrick R. Brozena
Trooper Jacob D. Capra
Trooper Sung H. Cho Trooper Bruce C. Damian

VSP Training Academy
Sergeant Patrick L. Green

VSP Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Special Agent Shannon M. Pinto