Vienna Officers Earn Valor Awards For Responses To Incidents

VIENNA, VA — Responses to separate incidents at Navy Federal Credit Union headquarters earned Vienna police officers Valor Awards from the Reston Chamber of Commerce.

The Reston Chamber of Commerce honored public safety professionals for acts of valor during a March 30 event. As reported by the Connection, just under 200 first responders were honored from the Fairfax County Police Department, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, Vienna Police, Herndon Police, Virginia State Police.

Officers Emily Lichtenberg and Alex Murray from the Vienna Police Department were recognized for their response to a shooting at Navy Federal Credit Union on Oct. 7, 2021. According to police, two people had an argument in a vehicle, and one shot the other with a handgun.

While the Fairfax County Police helicopter and K-9 units assisted, Lichtenberg and Murray helped contain the scene and start the search for the armed suspect. The police helicopter and K-9 units located what appeared to be a person hiding in the bushes on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail.

Not long after, the officers heard sounds coming from the gun and realized the suspect was about to attempt an ambush on officers. After officers took cover and made a plan, they took the suspect by surprise, causing him to fall down a hill near the trail. The suspect lost control of the loaded gun and was arrested.

For their efforts, Lichtenberg and Murray received the Silver Medal of Valor, the second-highest level of the Valor Awards.

The other Vienna officer recognized was Greg Hylinski for assisting with a medical emergency at Navy Federal Credit Union. The officer was working on another assignment at the location and was informed an employee collapsed and was unresponsive. Hylinksi provided lifesaving measures, including CPR, until EMS arrived to help the employee.

While the employee was treated, Hylinski started coordinating the police response, including identifying the person and next-of-kin. The chamber provided him with a Lifesaving Award.