The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police on August 19, 2008 presented eight Virginia police officers from five agencies with the Association’s highest honor, the Award for Valor. The awards were presented at the Valor Awards Banquet at the annual conference of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, held this year in Hot Springs, Virginia. The Award for Valor recognizes a law enforcement officer who, in the line of duty, performs an act of extraordinary heroism while engaged with an adversary at imminent personal risk.

The Award for Outstanding Contribution to Law Enforcement also was presented to The Honorable John L. Brownlee, former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia.

Additionally, 2007-2008 VACP President Chief Ray Lavinder, Roanoke Co. Police Department, presented Roanoke Chief Joe Gaskins with the VACP President's Award and the 2008-2009 VACP Executive Board was installed.

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Photographer: Erin Schrad, VACP