James City County Police Department

Lt. Jason Slodysko, Our Newest PELS Graduate ?? On Nov. 14, Lt. Jason Slodysko graduated from the 55th Session of the Professional Executive Leadership School (PELS), an esteemed program offered by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation in partnership with the University of Richmond. Established in 1994, PELS is a rigorous three-week program designed to provide law enforcement leaders with advanced humanities-based leadership training. Conducted through the University of Richmond’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies, the curriculum fosters personal and professional growth, preparing participants to tackle the complex challenges of executive leadership. We commend Lt. Slodysko for his dedication to continued education and professional development, which will undoubtedly benefit the officers he leads on C-Squad, our department, and the community. Please join us in congratulating Lt. Slodysko and the 28 other graduates of this impactful program!

Master Police Officer Dan Jackson and Detective Lesa Barnett were honored at the 24th Annual Greater Hampton Roads Regional Crime Lines, Inc. Dinner & Top Cop Awards, held on Nov. 9, 2024, in Virginia Beach. This annual event recognizes outstanding law enforcement officers in the region and highlights their invaluable contributions to public safety. MPO Jackson, our 2024 Officer of the Year, was a recipient of a Top Cop Award, an honor given to those who demonstrate high personal achievement, exemplary leadership, significant community contributions, and impact on the safety of the Hampton Roads community. MPO Jackson is a well-deserving recipient, repeatedly distinguishing himself by exceeding expectations and putting the needs of our department and community at the forefront of his work. MPO Jackson has made significant contributions to our Crisis Negotiations Team, being involved in multiple high-risk situations and participating in the National Crisis Negotiations Conference. He has also developed school safety programs for students to heighten situational awareness and showcase the dangers of impaired driving. MPO Jackson is an experienced member of our Fatal Crash Response Team, and he was. recently awarded a 2023 MADD Award. Additionally, Detective Lesa Barnett was named the first-ever Greater Hamptons Roads Regional Crime Lines Coordinator of the Year. As the longest-serving coordinator among local participating agencies, Det. Barnett manages and follows up on tips with exceptional proficiency. The role is both time-consuming and crucial, and her oversight ensures the effectiveness of the Crime Line tip system (1-888-LOCK-U-UP and P3 Tips), which is vital to our investigations. We encourage the public to continue using this service knowing that tips are handled by one of the best in the region. Please join us in celebrating Master Polcie Officer Jackson and Detective Barnett for their outstanding service!

Today, we honor and reflect on the service of all those who have served in our armed forces within our department, community, and nation. To every veteran, your courage and commitment to defending the United States have been instrumental to safeguarding our freedom. We salute you, not just today, but every day, and we humbly thank you for your service.

We invite our community to join us in honoring the life and service of retired Master Police Officer Nancy Nolker. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Nelsen's Funeral Home in Williamsburg, VA. MPO Nolker dedicated years of service to protecting and supporting our community. Please join us as we gather to pay tribute to her life and legacy. ?? 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188 ? Nov. 15 at 11 a.m.

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of retired Master Police Officer Nancy Nolker, who departed this Earth on November 3, 2024. Nancy fiercely fought a tireless battle against breast cancer, and her strength and resilience were a testament to her character and the love of those around her. Nancy dedicated the last eight years to serving our department and the James City County community, following fifteen years with the Winchester Police Department as a Police Officer and Dispatcher. Throughout her career in law enforcement, she touched countless lives with her compassion and unyielding resolve. As a school resource officer at Hornsby Middle School, she fostered a caring and safe environment, inspiring students and serving as a trusted mentor. She always put the safety and well-being of students first. As a critical member of our Crisis Negotiations Team, Nancy was an instrumental voice in numerous situations, saving lives and bringing calm where it was most needed. This past May, Nancy received the Medal of Valor—our second highest honor—for her courageous actions on Dec. 29, 2020. On that day, Nancy responded to a call involving an armed, barricaded subject in crisis. In a remarkable act of bravery, she entered the room with the subject, engaged the individual in conversation, and ultimately created a peaceful resolution. Her courage and dedication to de-escalating situations for those in need were exemplified time and again during her career. In addition to the Medal of Valor, Nancy was awarded multiple Letters of Commendation from us. We were fortunate to gather with her just a few short weeks ago to celebrate her career and retirement, reflecting on the many memories we share. It was a day filled with gratitude, joy, and love—a fitting tribute to someone who gave so much to all of us. Breast cancer affects millions each year, and Nancy was a fierce advocate for awareness. She passionately believed in and talked of the importance of early detection, adamantly urging those around her to prioritize regular check-ups and screenings. In honor of Nancy’s legacy, we encourage everyone to carry her message forward: early detection saves lives. Schedule routine checks, support your loved ones, and remember that no one should face this battle alone. Our hearts are with Nancy’s family, friends, colleagues, and everyone whose lives she impacted. Nancy was more than an officer; she was family, and her absence will be felt deeply. You will be sincerely missed, Nancy, and we will forever honor your service and spirit.

2024 VACP Lifesaving Award Presented to Officer Killian Burden We are proud to announce that Ofc. Burden has been awarded a Lifesaving Award by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation, Inc. (VACP) for his heroic actions in saving the life of a woman with gunshot wounds and apprehending the gunman on June 30, 2023. On that day, Ofc. Burden was the first officer on the scene, responding to a report of a shooting with injuries at a residence on Tara Court. Upon arrival, he confronted an erratic and uncooperative subject, identified as the shooting suspect, while a victim lay injured inside the residence in a highly tense situation. Despite the dangerous and volatile circumstances, Ofc. Burden remained remarkably composed and took precise action to control the scene. He successfully contained the suspect, taking him into custody, and then administered immediate first aid to the victim, applying a tourniquet to control bleeding until medical assistance arrived. The victim, transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, ultimately survived, thanks in no small part to Ofc. Burden's quick and courageous actions. The outcome could have been far more tragic without his bravery and intervention. In recognition of his actions on June 30, 2023, Ofc. Burden was awarded the Department's prestigious Medal of Valor this past May during our annual awards ceremony. On Aug. 24, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police honored Ofc. Burden with the 2024 Lifesaving Award, acknowledging his willingness to put himself in harm’s way to save another’s life. Please join us in commending Officer Killian Burden for his professionalism, heroism, and devotion to the highest standards of service.

On Sept. 18, we were honored to be joined by the Blue Knights Virginia Chapter VIII to commemorate 46 years since our community tragically lost Sgt. Earl "Buddy" Heisler in the line of duty on Sept. 19, 1978. Buddy's daughter, Cindy, also joined us in this special moment of remembrance. ?? The Blue Knights dedicated a beautiful bench in memory of Sgt. Heisler at our Law Enforcement Center, as a lasting tribute to his service and sacrifice. We are deeply grateful for their generous gesture and support of law enforcement missions across the Commonwealth. We would also like to thank and credit the Daily Press for allowing us to share a historical photo from Sgt. Heisler’s funeral.

?? Introducing K-9 Officers Maverick and Bailey! ?? We are thrilled to announce the formation of our K-9 Unit, a significant addition that will bolster our operations and expand our community policing initiatives. Our two new K-9 Officers—a male German Shorthaired Pointer named Maverick and a female Yellow Labrador Retriever named Bailey—will assist our department in various critical tasks, particularly locating missing persons and detecting narcotics. The creation of this K-9 Unit resulted from nearly a year of collaboration between our officers, professional staff, and various county departments. It involved extensive research, careful planning, budgeting, resource management, and specialized equipment acquisition, all designed to meet the unique needs of James City County. The expertise and support from surrounding agencies were also invaluable in bringing this program to fruition. Our K-9 handlers, Officer Drew Crockett and Master Police Officer Ryan Ellis were officially paired with their K-9 partners on Oct. 3. They have begun rigorous, specialized training to certify the unit in the months ahead. These K-9 Officers will become invaluable team members, using their specialized skills to assist in operations where human and technological capabilities may fall short. We held a public voting contest on Facebook and Instagram to engage the community to name our new K-9 Officers. Using Meta’s story-based polling feature in a “March Madness” bracket format proved an effective and engaging way to involve our citizens in the naming process. This digital event generated considerable engagement, reaching well over 100,000 users. We look forward to introducing K-9 Officers Maverick and Bailey to the public and having them play an active role in crime prevention and community events. Thank you to everyone who helped bring this project to life. We’re excited to see the positive impact these K-9 Officers will have on our department and community.

Tonight, we had the privilege of hosting an open house to celebrate Master Police Officer Nancy Nolker’s retirement. MPO Nolker officially retired on Sept. 1 after 22 fulfilling years of service in law enforcement. MPO Nolker joined our department in 2016, following ten years with the Winchester Police Department as a Police Officer and five years as a Dispatcher before that. Over the years, she has earned the admiration of her colleagues and the community alike. She served with distinction on our Crisis Negotiations Team, School Resource Unit at Hornsby Middle School, Bike Patrol, and as a Crisis Intervention Team Instructor. MPO Nolker has received numerous accolades during her career, including the Medal of Valor at this year’s Award Ceremony for her exceptional handling of a mental health crisis in 2020. While we celebrate Nancy’s retirement, we also stand firmly in support of her and her family as she bravely battles cancer. She would like to leave the community with this important message: ?? “Self-exams and routine screenings/mammograms are incredibly important and can save your life—do them and never think you cannot be affected. If you have concerns or suspicions following a mammogram, please consider an ultrasound. You can never be sure enough.” Nancy, thank you for your years of dedicated service, courage, and impact on our department and the community. We wish you strength and healing as you face this new challenge, and you will always have our full support. ??

?? Congratulations to Lt. Christopher O'Neil on his recent graduation from the prestigious National Criminal Justice Command College (NCJCC) on Sept. 19! The NCJCC is a rigorous, 10-week program for mid-to-upper-level law enforcement leaders nationwide. Focusing on leadership, innovation, and collaboration, it equips officers with advanced strategies to address modern public safety challenges. Held through a partnership between the University of Virginia and the Virginia State Police, the program empowers participants to challenge traditional assumptions and approach public safety with a forward-thinking mindset. Lt. O'Neil's participation in the program further enhances his leadership skills and ability to serve our community. He shared: ?? "This program significantly advanced my leadership capabilities in working with diverse personalities, generations, and backgrounds within the community and department. Through in-depth research and group collaboration, I experienced profound personal and professional growth. This will undoubtedly make me a stronger leader, enabling me to have an even greater impact on the safety and well-being of James City County." Additionally, on September 28, 2024, Lt. O'Neil will mark 29 years of service with our Department. We are incredibly proud of his pursuit of professional excellence and decades-long commitment to service. Please join us in congratulating Lt. O'Neil on his professional achievement and upcoming tenure milestone! ??