On Wednesday, August 17, the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 82 presented its Police Officer of the Year award to Police Officer First Class Vernon Warker.

Pfc. Warker was selected as the recipient of this honor particularly for the courage he displayed during an incident in May of 2015. Pfc. Warker was the first on the scene of a house fire in Waldorf and learned that there was still one person trapped inside the house. Without hesitation or any protective gear, Pfc. Warker pushed open the locked front door, went inside the smoke-filled home, and dragged the man out to safety, saving his life.

Adjutant Gary Shupe and First Vice Commander G. Gale Willett presented the award plaque. “As a first responder, you are expected to be many things depending on the situation that faces you,” said Adjutant Shupe. “What Pfc. Warker did that day went beyond expectations and was something police officers do not typically train for. His instincts kicked in, and the man would most likely have died that day if not for Pfc. Warker’s heroic actions.”

“We are very proud of the brave, quick actions Pfc. Warker took that day. He was everything we could hope to be if faced with the same situation: calm, selfless, and courageous,” said Sheriff Troy Berry. “We thank the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 82 for recognizing him with this honor.”

Photo from left to right: Sheriff Troy Berry, Pfc. Vernon Warker, First Vice Commander G. Gale Willett, and Adjutant Gary Shupe

Charles County Crime Solvers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest or indictment of a person responsible for a crime in Charles County. Anyone with information about an unsolved crime or the location of a fugitive may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS, texting CHARLES + the tip to CRIMES (274637) or submitting tips online at tipsubmit.com. All individuals who provide tips through Crime Solvers will remain anonymous. Learn more at the CCSO’s website.

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service law enforcement agency comprised of more than 600 police, corrections and civilian personnel responsible for protecting more than 150,000 residents. The CCSO was accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in 2001 and has been designated as a CALEA Gold Standard of Excellence agency since 2011. Established in 1658, the CCSO is one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the United States. For more information, visit www.ccso.us.      

Media Contact
Janelle Love
301-609-6538
lovej@ccso.us