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Renaissance police: Va. officer’s commitment recognized with award

The Virginian-Pilot

NORFOLK — Senior Police Officer Chris Butler was recognized as Suffolk’s Top Cop at the Hampton Roads Regional Crime Lines Top Cop awards dinner earlier this month.

Police officers from each Hampton Roads community who demonstrated a commitment to a safer Hampton Roads in the past year were honored at the event.

Earlier this year, Butler, 33, also was named Suffolk’s Police Officer of the Year for 2006.

Butler, a seven-year department veteran, was nominated for the award in part because of the additional duties and responsibilities he takes on, according to Lt. Debbie George, department spokeswoman.

Butler is a member of the critical incident response team, dive team, department planning committee and critical incident stress management group.

He is also a newly certified DUI instructor and police academy instructor, who is called upon frequently.

Butler voluntarily approached Sentara Obici Hospital and organized training for staff and community members.

He has been actively involved in bike patrol equipment and updating the equipment so that all certified bike officers can be used.

He also restructured the department’s bike rodeo program.

Butler organized neighborhood cleanup events, a cable TV public service announcement program with police members, and has played active roles in putting on National Night Out and Senior Citizens Academy programs.

He is also active in partnerships with probation and parole, Adult Protective Services, fire investigators and outside agencies involved with crime prevention.

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