Officers from the U.S. Marshals Office, Virginia State Police, Giles County Sheriff and Pearisburg Police

Law Enforcement professionals from the U.S. Marshal's Office for the Western District of Virginia, Virginia State Police, Giles County Sheriff's Office, and Pearisburg Police Department were recognized as Child Defender Award recipients on July 9, 2008.  The ceremony was held at the Federal Court House in Roanoke, Virginia.

These agencies responded to an Amber Alert issued by authorities in South Carolina .  The agencies mobilized and recovered the child and returned him to his family safely.  "We wanted to recognize the cooperative efforts in this case," said Richard Whidden, NLC Executive Director.  "Cooperation between Federal, state and local agencies must be encouraged as those joint efforts help defend children."

To read more about this case click here.

The presentation was covered by the press; you can read a story on the presentation here.