Two Fairfax County Police Department employees were among 19 individuals statewide honored yesterday (Friday) at Virginia’s ninth annual Unsung Heroes Awards.
Presented by the Virginia attorney general’s office, the awards honor those in and out of government who provide extraordinary support for, and a voice to, victims of crime.
The awards honor “individuals who represent the best of public service,” Attorney General Jay Jones said at the ceremony, held in Richmond.
“The people that we are recognizing don’t do this work for recognition,” Jones said. “They do it because somebody needs to be heard. To listen is where the work truly begins — ensuring that the overlooked, the dismissed or the forgotten are always seen.”
Among those honored were Fairfax County Police Department Detective Jon Long and victim services specialist Ilana Wixted.
Long, who works in the FCPD’s Cold Case Squad, has been in law enforcement for 33 years, 27 of them as a detective.
“He is a dedicated investigator whose decades of service reflect an unwavering commitment to victims of violent crime,” said Rachelle Hunley, senior director of programs and outreach in the office of the attorney general.
Wixted, who has been involved in victim services work for 14 years, including six with Fairfax County, “helps survivors navigate crisis situations, access shelter and resources and more through complex legal and support systems, with clarity and dignity,” Hunley said.
Since its inception in 2017, the Unsung Heroes Awards have honored more than 100 individuals, and one service dog, for exemplary service.
This year, the first Legacy Award was presented as part of the ceremony. It went to Stafford County Sheriff’s Office Master Detective David Wood, honoring his 41-year career in law enforcement.
Wood “has defined what it means to be a champion for victims and their families,” Hunley said. “He combines exceptional investigative powers with profound compassion.”
Also honored at the ceremony:
- Pastor Belinda Baugh, New Divine Worship Center, Petersburg
- Marlene Bright, Community Outreach Coordinator, Norfolk Family Justice Center
- Amy Cassandra, Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Fauquier County
- Captain Benjamin Childers, Victims’ Legal Counsel, United States Marine Corps
- Ashley Crews, Victim Services Specialist, Henrico County Victim Witness
- Dawn Delacruz, Director, Madison County Victim/Witness Program
- Macy Fleischer, Assistant Director, Culpeper Victim/Witness Program
- Chris Genrich, Appellate and Training Attorney, US Army
- Sharnelle Hamlin, Homicide Support Group Coordinator, Virginia Victim Assistance Network
- Jessica Hood, Director of Outreach & PR, Wise/Norton Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
- Sergeant Jason Myers, Norfolk Police Department
- Jennifer Perez, CEO, A & J Residential Services
- Karen Ashburn Rucker, Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney, City of Hampton
- Michael A. Shafer Jr., Guest Speaker, VADOC Victim Services Unit
- Robyn Sodelett, Survivor Center Director, Prosecutors Alliance
- Tamara Thomas, Director, Prince William County Victim/Witness Program
The awards program is held each year during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which has been marked annually in April since 1981.
