NEWS RELEASE Contact: Chief Cynthia McAlister
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE cmcaslister@purcellvilleva.gov
PURCELLVILLE POLICE OFFICER BURKETT RECEIVES VFW AWARD
PURCELLVILLE, Va., April 6, 2023 — The Purcellville Police Department is pleased to announce that Officer Alexander Burkett was awarded the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Law Enforcement Public Servant Citation during last night’s VFW awards ceremony. Officer Burkett was presented the award by Mr. Stephen Hood and Commander Ray Delpesche of the Loudoun County Post 1177 of Veterans of Foreign Wars. The citation is given to a law enforcement individual who shows consistent excellence in the performance of their duties, as well as continuous dedication and growth in their official responsibilities and skills within their profession.
Officer Burkett graduated from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Secondary Education, specializing in Social Studies. He joined the Department in 2019, and despite his short tenure, Officer Burkett has proven himself to be a dedicated public servant with a very strong desire for community service and engagement. He is a consummate professional, respectful to everyone he encounters, and consistently goes above and beyond in every aspect of his position. Officer Burkett has a strong desire to combat drunk driving, and often leads the Department in DUI arrests.
In addition to handling service calls and traffic enforcement, Officer Burkett ensures case investigations are completed to the fullest. He takes great pride in his work and ensures that all parties are well informed throughout his investigations. Officer Burkett’s desire to involve himself with the community is observed continuously during his workday. Officer Burkett has taken an active role in the Books and Badges program, where he reads to preschool children at the Purcellville Library. He also excels at assisting students in the Purcellville Police and BetterALife Homework Club, where he mentors children by helping with understanding school assignments.
Officer Burkett’s willingness to engage students has been exemplified by his participation in the Loudoun County Public Schools Job for a Day Program. For the past two years, Officer Burkett has volunteered to participate by interacting with high school juniors and seniors who have an interest in a law enforcement profession, by leading them through mock traffic stops, testing police equipment, and answering their extensive questions regarding possible police career paths. Additionally, Officer Burkett is a certified Bicycle Patrol Officer for the Purcellville Police Department, where he enjoys leading the children’s safety obstacle course at the PPD Bicycle & Safety Rodeo held in the spring.
Officer Burkett exemplifies the qualities of an excellent public servant to include being a dedicated team player, consistently engaging his community, having a proactive approach for crime prevention, and most importantly, a positive attitude. Please join us in congratulating Officer Alexander Burkett as a recipient of the VFW Law Enforcement Public Servant Citation.
(L-R, Commander Ray Delpesche with the Loudoun County Post 1177 of the VFW, Chief Cynthia McAlister, Officer Alexander Burkett, and Mr. Steven Hood, VFW)
The Town of Purcellville, Virginia
“Purcellville-your small Town, where history and progress intersect and people prosper,” is an award-winning town of approximately 10,000 residents located in Loudoun County, approximately 50 miles west of Washington, DC. Having received the 2021 Virginia Municipal League Innovation Award for Environmental Sustainability and in years past, the prestigious Siemens Sustainability Award for Small Communities, Purcellville continues to be honored for innovation and green initiatives. The Town most recently received the Tree City USA Award for the 14th consecutive year. The Town was reaffirmed as a AAA rated community by S&P Global Ratings, the highest credit rating possible, and was ranked “Safest City” in Virginia in 2020. Once a stop along the W&OD rail line, which has been converted to a multi-use trail from Alexandria, VA to Purcellville, the Town has maintained its historic old-town feel through the restoration and maintenance of its many downtown structures, reflecting the Victorian architecture popular during the early 1900s. Today, Purcellville is the economic hub of western Loudoun County and a popular weekend destination for antiquing, equestrian activities, farmer’s markets, wineries, breweries, distilleries and restaurants. More info at www.purcellvilleva.gov.
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