NEWS RELEASE Contact: Chief Cynthia McAlister
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE cmcalister@purcellvilleva.gov
PURCELLVILLE POLICE ANNOUNCE OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD
PURCELLVILLE, Va., December 14, 2022 — On Saturday, December 10, 2022, the Purcellville Police Department held their annual Purcellville Police Department recognition event. We are pleased to announce that Officer Alexander Burkett was named the 2022 Officer of the Year for the Purcellville Police Department, which is an anonymous peer selected award. Officer Burkett joined the Department in 2019 and has made a positive impact here during his short time. He is a consummate professional, respectful to everyone he encounters, and consistently goes above and beyond in every aspect of his position.
Officer Burkett is known for his strong community outreach skills, readiness to take on new projects, and positively engaging with community members of all ages. He is often found participating at the PPD and BetterALife Homework Club, assisting local students with after school homework help and mentorship. Officer Burkett is also a popular reader at the weekly Books and Badges event held at the Purcellville Library. In addition, Officer Burkett is a certified Bicycle Patrol Officer for the Purcellville Police Department, leading the children’s safety obstacle course at the PPD Bicycle & Safety Rodeo held in the spring. He was also selected to be the lead officer for the Department for the Loudoun County Public Schools Job for a Day program, which is a work shadow program for high school juniors and seniors to learn about a career that interests them.
Officer Burkett is also commended for his investigative skills, recently assisting a local business successfully navigate an employee embezzlement case spanning over 11 months. Officer Burkett’s positive attitude, willingness to assist both the community and his fellow officers, and his high level of service is to be applauded. Please join us in congratulating Officer Alexander Burkett on his outstanding service to our Department and the Purcellville community.
Officer Alexander Burkett
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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