Alexandria Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Cañas Named Virginia Law Enforcement Officer of the Year

ALEXANDRIA, VA-Alexandria Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Cañas has been named Virginia’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by by the state’s American Legion Department. Sheriff Sean Casey presented Cañas with the award earlier this month.

“The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office is extremely proud to see Deputy Cañas honored with this state-level award,” reads a press release, “and Sheriff Casey expresses his appreciation to officials with both American Legion Post 24 and the American Legion Department of Virginia for recognizing Deputy Cañas.”

Cañas is currently the Gang and Intelligence Investigator, having previously worked as a Transportation Deputy and in the Detention Center. In addition to his regular duties, he is also a state-certified Field Trainer, General Instructor, and Control Tactics Instructor. He is a member of the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team, Civil Disobedience Unit, and Honor Guard.

Fluent in English and Spanish, he joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2019. With a bilingual background, Cañas is helpful with community relations – he coaches youth soccer – and recruiting efforts.

Committed to his job, Cañas is a Project Lifesaver Search Specialist, meaning he is trained in the use of equipment to locate people who may be lost as a result of medical conditions. This knowledge aided his team in finding a reported individual recently. He also saved someone’s life last year when he arrived first at the scene of a shooting.  Cañas not only attended to the victim; he also provided information critical to catching the suspect.

American Legion Post 24 recognized Cañas earlier this spring as its 2023 Alexandria Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, and then nominated him for the state honor.

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