Purcellville police officers and LCSO officers recognized at LCSO ceremony

On Friday, Feb. 2, members of the Purcellville Police Department were recognized at the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office 2023 Awards and Recognition Ceremony. The awards program recognized members of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, as well as their partners in law enforcement, for their dedication and service to the community during 2023. Lieutenant Scott Moskowitz, Sergeant Eric Bridge, Sergeant David Camp, Officer Nelson Fernandez, Officer Abigail St. Onge, and Officer Ben Nett were presented a Meritorious Action Award for their involvement in an incident during May of 2023, regarding locating and apprehending a juvenile with a stolen firearm.   

The Purcellville Police Officers were recognized along with Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office members Sergeant Samantha Harwood, Master Deputy John McClintic, Deputy First Class William Sullivan, Deputy First Class Charles Ewing, Deputy First Class Garret Osborn, and Deputy First Class John Tisol, who worked alongside our officers during the firearm investigation.  

On Saturday, May 6, Sergeant Eric Bridge and Officer Ben Nett of the Purcellville Police Department received a report of a stolen firearm, and through their investigative work, believed it had been taken by a 14-year-old Blue Ridge Middle School student.

The officers worked diligently to overcome the initial reluctance by both the victim and potential witness of the larceny, to speak with law enforcement, stressing the gravity of the situation for a juvenile to possess a firearm. Sergeant Bridge and Officer Nett were able to obtain crucial information of the suspect’s ties to a gang, recent altercation with a rival gang member, and that the student had made homicidal statements. Purcellville Police Officers continued to work on the case throughout the weekend, but could not locate the suspect.  

The Purcellville Police Department then reached out to the school SRO, Master Deputy John McClintic, who initiated further investigation and coordination with Lieutenant Safford and the Tactical Support Unit.

Information provided by Master Deputy McClintic confirmed the suspect as identifying as a gang member with a recent mental health committal for threats of self-harm. Lieutenant Scott Moskowitz coordinated with the LCSO Tactical Support Unit to develop an apprehension plan for the suspect, while Officer Ben Nett sought and obtained a search warrant. On the morning of Monday, May 8, Deputy Sullivan coordinated surveillance at the suspect’s home and bus stop, while Master Deputy McClintic and Sergeant Harwood were stationed at the school.  

The LCSO deputies and Purcellville Police members Sergeant David Camp, Officer Nelson Fernandez, and Officer Abigail St. Onge were staging nearby, and observed the suspect leave home on foot. Deputies Sullivan, Ewing, Osborn, and Tisol moved quickly to detain the suspect, who admitted to having the loaded firearm in a pocket.

The gun was safely recovered, and a detention order issued for the juvenile suspect. Throughout the investigative and apprehension process, Officer Nelson Fernandez also provided valuable language translation services.  

The swift, coordinated efforts of all these individuals ensured a safe resolution and prevented a loaded firearm from potentially entering the middle school. Their actions are deserving of recognition with a Meritorious Action Award. Please join us in congratulating our officers and our fellow law enforcement partners on their award.