The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office is honored to be among the 12 finalists in the 2026 Community Policing in Action Photo Contest sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).

ASO’s winning submission (below), “Connecting with our Future,” features Sergeant Juarez with a safety patrol member at a community event at Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center last year.

Sergeant Juarez has served with distinction at the Sheriff’s Office for more than 18 years and is currently the community outreach supervisor. At an event last fall, she met Emily, a fourth grader at Cora Kelly School and member of her school’s safety patrol. Recognizing Emily’s commitment to keeping her classmates safe, Sergeant Juarez was proud to pin a junior deputy badge on her safety patrol belt.

This photo is significant because our deputies know that representation matters, especially when it comes to meaningful community engagement. Our team proudly reflects the wonderful diversity of our community, and this young girl can look to Sergeant Juarez as a strong and authentic example of what Latinas can achieve in law enforcement and the respect and responsibility they carry in our community.

This year’s theme was Uplifting the Image: Highlighting Heroes and according to the COPS website, winners were “selected from inspiring submissions that highlight policing in action and honor our nation’s law enforcement heroes.”

Virginia was well represented this year, with both ASO and the Lynchburg Police Department earning spots among the 12 national finalists.