Law Enforcement
Commendation Medal

2012

Members of the Fairfax Resolves attended the Fairfax County Law Enforcement awards ceremony to present this year’s recipients with the SAR Law Enforcement Commendation medal. Compatriot Bud Walker, chairman of the Law Enforcement Award committee, organized the selection process and coordinated the Chapter's involvement in the Fairfax County Awards program. As Compatriot Walker read the nominiations, Chapter President Dan Rolph presented the awards to two very deserving recipients.

Medal Recipient

Detective Robert J. Murphy

Detective Robert “Bob” Murphy is being recognized today for his outstanding work over thirty years, particularly as a major crimes detective. Bob has also served in our Property Crimes unit, the Auto Theft squad, the Sex Crimes squad, the Homicide squad, and currently serves in the Cold Case squad.

Detective Murphy has worked numerous high profile and complex cases including the tragic and very emotional killing of two Fairfax County police officers at the Sully station. Bob is known for his consistent professionalism and communication skills. His attention to detail is legendary throughout the department. Bob is an active board member of the Virginia Homicide Investigators Association and serves as their training director. He teaches at our police academy and surrounding police academies and is consulted by detectives from up and down the East Coast.

Detective Bob Murphy is presented with the SAR Law Enforcement Commendation Medal for his outstanding commitment of service to Fairfax County.

Medal Recipient

Detective James N. Sparks III

Detective James Sparks is being honored today for his extraordinary work in his nearly twenty-four years with the department. Jim began his career at the Reston station and has served in our Street Crimes Unit, the Electronic Surveillance Section, the Auto Theft Squad, the Child Exploitation Section, and the Fugitive Squad.

Detective Sparks is not only a veteran of the United States Marine Corps but after the events of September 11th, 2001, he joined United States Army National Guard so he could continue to defend the nation. In several deployments oversees, he has served in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Because of his unique experience, has become a speaker in the “Battlefield to the Street” seminar, which supports law enforcement officers and their families prior to, during, and after their military deployments.

Detective Sparks is presented with the SAR Law Enforcement Commendation Medal for his outstanding commitment of service to Fairfax County. Not surprisingly, Jim has been once again deployed oversees and so his wife, Carla, is present to receive the medal on his behalf.

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