ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – For the third year in a row, Roanoke Police Department held its annual awards celebration at the Berglund Center.
Just to name a few, The Lifesaving Award went to Sgt. Corey Burchett, after he responded to a house fire in Roanoke in July of 2025. As people were trapped inside, explosions were happening due to fireworks. Burchett was able to help an individual who jumped out of the second story window while trying to escape. The man shattered his hip and was unable to move and debris was falling from the home putting the man in danger. Burchett stepped in and was able to remove the man and get him to safety.
For the first time, RPD gave away The Community Partner Award. One of the recipients was Rita Joyce, the founder of Families Expecting Deliverance Using Prayer (FEDUP). FEDUP is a team built of families who have lost loved ones to gun violence and local resource providers. Another recipient was Dawn Sandoval with The Least of These Ministry (TLOT), an local non-profit that provides resources for the unsheltered…