Giving Back

Alexandria Police Lieutenant Receieves MLK Spirit Award

APD Captain Jerry Newcomb, Assistant Chief Raul Pedroso, Lieutenant Marcus Downey, and Captain Courtney Ballantine (Photo: Alexandria Police Department)

ALEXANDRIA, VA-Today (Jan. 15) is the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth. So it is fitting that a man committed to public service received an award bearing King’s name. During the city’s MLK Staff Celebration at Lee Center this afternoon, Alexandria Police Patrol Lieutenant Marcus Downey received the MLK Spirit Award for acting as a “powerful example of servant leadership,” according to the APD press release.

“His actions inspire the next generation of officers to adopt values of compassion, service, and civic responsibility, creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust,” the press release reads.

City Manager Jim Parajon presented the award.

Lt. Downey makes a difference in the city by encouraging his fellow officers to give out food at ALIVE!, serve meals at the Alexandria Community Shelter, and deliver with Meals on Wheels.

SEE ALSO: Apply to Join the Alexandria Sheriff’s Academy

Kevin Dauray

Kevin is Publisher's Assistant and Senior Editor with The Zebra Press. He has been working for Alexandria's "Good News" newspaper since 2019. A graduate of George Mason University, he earned a bachelor's in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. He also studied at the Columbia School of Broadcasting and holds a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marymount University. He is an alumnus of T.C. Williams High School. Go Titans!

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