Above And Beyond The Call Of Duty

The day started like any other for Vienna Police Officer Ryan Myers.

He responded to a call from a local mother, who said her mentally disturbed son was hearing voices; that he was paranoid and she was growing afraid.

When he arrived on the scene, Myers got the situation under control and determined with counselors that the son -- who they found was under the influence of illegal drugs -- should go to an area mental health facility.

After undergoing an evaluation, the son was sent to a room. Myers went to check on him. And that's when the trouble began.

When he entered the room, Myers was attacked by the son, who was trying to get a hold of Myers' service weapon. Myers had severe trauma to his head and face -- including a concussion -- before eventually subduing the son, with the help of staff and doctors at the facility, Vienna Police said.

"The individual Officer Myers encountered was not thinking rationally because of his mental illness and use of hallucinogens," Vienna Police wrote of the incident. "Officer Myers valiantly endured severe punishment from a mentally unstable man knowing that if he failed to protect his weapon, lives would surely be lost.”

Myers was among 64 Fairfax County , Vienna and Herndon police officers and emergency and Sheriff's Office personnel  honored for their selfless service Monday at the 33rd annual Valor Awards Ceremony at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner in McLean,

Nearly 700 police officers, firemen, sheriffs deputies and their families, businessmen and elected officials filled the grand ballroom for the event, sponsored by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce.

Larry Michaels, the voice of the Redskins, read one heart-stopping story after another as the first responders, who usually work in anonymity, stepped forward in dress uniforms to receive their awards.

Thirty-one were honored for saving lives --- including saving two of their own who nearly died after food blocked their breathing.

• Officer Steven Kaganowich saved a man who had collapsed while running.
• Five officers saved a motorcyclist who was driving recklessly then lost control, hit a parked car and was pinned under the car.
• Six firefighters rescued two canoers from the Pohick Bay Marina after their canoe capsized far from shore.

Others received Bronze and Silver Medals of Valor for their actions, including Myers, who received a bronze medal. Bronze Medals are "awarded in recognition of acts involving unusual personal risk beyond the call of duty. Bronze Medals may also be awarded to those who demonstrate unusual judgment, zeal or ingenuity not normally expected in the performance of duties," according to the Chamber.

You can read all the stories here.

Chuck Wortman, of Acacia Bank in Falls Church, said he came "for the opportunity to pay homage to our pubic servants who go above and beyond the call of duty and to support the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce." Wortman said he has lived in Fairfax for more than 50 years and "I have benefited from everything this county has to offer and I'm truly thankful for it."

Heidi and Rachel Jenkins of Alexandria came to see their dad Capt. Larry Jenkins of the fire department receive a bronze medal.

"I'm proud of my father," Heidi said.  "When we were young he never told us about the dangerous calls. He's a role model to look up to."

Capt. Jenkins retired a year ago shortly after the fire, she said.

Click through our photo gallery to see pictures of all of the recipients.