By Brian Trompeter
The Optimist Club of Greater Vienna this summer gave its annual Charles A. Robinson ‘Respect for Law’ Awards to two local police officers for their outstanding service.
The club bestowed the awards at Vienna Presbyterian Church. The group each year honors one officer from the Vienna and Fairfax County departments, following nominations from their respective commanders. The awards are named after longtime Vienna Mayor Charles Robinson Jr., who embodied high standards for personal conduct, integrity and education.
One of this year’s recipients was Master Police Officer David Antel of the Fairfax County Police Department, who was lauded by Fair Oaks District Station commander Capt. Justin Palenscar at the Optimists’ Respect for Law dinner July 19.
The other “Respect for Law” recipient was Pfc. Alex Murray of the Vienna Police Department, who received his award Aug. 16 because of an earlier scheduling conflict.
Murray has been an officer with the department for about five years and during that time has served as a patrol officer, field-training instructor and, more recently, as a detective temporarily assigned to the Criminal Investigations Section.
Department leaders selected Murray to serve in CIS after he distinguished himself on the street in the Patrol Division.
Murray is a “resourceful, creative, tenacious and dedicated [officer] whose service to the community brings great honor to himself, the department and the town of Vienna,” said his former CIS commander, Capt. Arturo “Art” Sylmar.
