Middleburg officer recognized for over half century service

Officer William “Bill” Nugent was recognized last night at the Middleburg Town Council meeting with Mayor Bridge Littleton, members of the Town Council, Chief A.J. Panebianco, members of law enforcement and the public in attendance.

Nugent was awarded the Law Enforcement Commendation and Medal for his 53 years of exceptional service by the Sergeant Major John Champe Chapter, Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution, in cooperation with the Middleburg Police Department’s Chief A.J. Panebianco.

Rhett Wade, chairman of the Public Service Committee of the Sergeant Major John Champe Chapter, read the citation along with chapter’s Vice President Barry Schoerer and Compatriot Mark Sink. The Citation for Nugent reads:

William “Bill” Nugent has served in the field of law enforcement with honor, distinction, and devotion for over a half century. During his career, which began in 1969, William “Bill” Nugent has served in many capacities to include, Police Officer, Investigator/Detective, Motor Unit Sergeant, and even as an acting Lieutenant. His long career began with the Fairfax County Police where he served from 1969 until his retirement as a Master Police Officer in 1994. William “Bill” Nugent went on to serve with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office beginning in 1994 until his retirement as the Motor Squad Sergeant in 2018. 

After two full careers, William “Bill” Nugent went on to serve with the Haymarket Police Department from 2018 to 2021, and since 2020 has served as a police officer with the Middleburg Police Department.  Officer Nugent stepped up and out of retirement, for a brief time, to return to fulltime employment to assist with a staffing shortage caused by two staff members battling cancer.  Among his many accomplishments and awards during his long career, William “Bill” Nugent was honored as the “Police Officer of the Year” in 2019 while serving with the Haymarket Police Department.

A quote from Chief A.J. Panebianco of the Middleburg Police Department and resident of the Virginia Chiefs of Police Association and Foundation: “I wish there were more Bill’s in the world.  His experience and guidance are invaluable to the town and the officers he mentors … Bill is the perfect example of self-sacrifice and community policing.”  

Throughout his career, William “Bill” Nugent has been an exemplary employee, role model, mentor and a Law enforcement asset dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of the citizens of this nation and the Commonwealth of Virginia.  It is with great pleasure and honor that the Sergeant Major John Champe Chapter, of the Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution presents William “Bill” Nugent with the Law Enforcement Commendation and Medal.

The Sgt. Maj John Champe Chapter of the Virginia SAR extends their congratulations to Officer Nugent on the award of this richly deserved commendation and medal for over a half century of exceptional service, dedication, and accomplishments in law enforcement.