Officer Neil Simpson

On September 10, 2024, Herndon Police Officer First Class Neil Simpson was off-duty and traveling with his wife when he stopped to help a woman desperately flagging down cars for help. He found she had been violently assaulted by her intoxicated husband. The suspect twice tried to run over both Simpson and the victim with a vehicle. When the man advanced on foot, the unarmed Simpson physically intervened — and the suspect produced a knife and stabbed him several times in the arm. Simpson nonetheless gained control of the knife and restrained the attacker until officers arrived. His quick actions protected the victim from further serious harm. For his courage, Simpson was recognized with the Award for Valor by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police at their 2025 annual conference, and received the Gold Medal of Valor at a separate ceremony honoring Virginia law enforcement.