Prince William Police Department announces promotions

Prince William County Va. Police Chief Steve Hudson announced 20 promotions of sworn staff on March 6.

Captain Dawn M. Harman was promoted to Major; Lieutenant Shana A. Hrubes and Lieutenant Jarad L. Phelps to Captain; First Sergeant Shane B. Ash; First Sergeant David L. Burghart; First Sergeant Brandan R. Dudley and First Sergeant Eileen M. Welsh to Lieutenant; Sergeant Joseph T. Dombrowski; Sergeant Raymond M. Hyatt; Sergeant Joe N. Robinson; Sergeant Jeffrey W. Sheldon; and Sergeant Bart Stromer III to First Sergeant; and Officer William J. Franks; Detective Katherine T. Lewis; Detective Joseph G. Medawar; Detective Kimberly M. Norton; Detective Matthew B. Smith; Detective Robert S. Surman; Detective C. Annie Tyrrell; and Detective Joshua D. Wehmeyer to Sergeant.

Chief Hudson also announced these six civilian promotions: Administrative Support Assistant II Sonia G. Dagdag-Carlos to Administrative Support Coordinator I; Assistant Shift Supervisor Tracy M. Zingg to Shift Supervisor; Telecommunicator III Nita Lapihuska to Assistant Shift Supervisor; and Telecommunicators I Jennifer Berensen, Lauren Masterson and Katelynn M. Southards, all three promoted to Telecommunicator II.

Major Dawn M. Harman
Major Harman has nearly 24 years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince William County Police Department. Major Harman served as a deputy animal warden for the Department’s Animal Control Bureau for three years prior to her sworn career. She started her career as a patrol officer for the Operations Division-East. During her career, Major Harman has served in the Crime Prevention Unit, as an Operations Division Supervisor for both the Eastern and Western Districts, as the Department’s Accreditation Manager, director of the Animal Control Bureau, and the Western District Commander. Major Harman holds a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., and a bachelor’s degree in Animal and Veterinary Science from West Virginia University in Morgantown. She is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Police Executive Leadership School and the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service (LEAD). Major Harman is the assistant chief for the Operations Division.

Captain Shana A. Hrubes
Captain Hrubes has more than 16 years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince William County Police Department.  Hired in 1998, she began her career as a patrol officer assigned to the Operations Division.  During her career, Captain Hrubes served as a Detective in the Vice / Narcotics Unit and was team commander of the Crisis Negotiation Team.  She later was a Supervisor in the Juvenile Bureau’s School Resource Officer Unit and in the Intelligence & Crime Analysis Unit within the Criminal Investigations Division. She was Assistant to the Chief of Police, and she was Watch Commander in the Western District. Captain Hrubes holds a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., and a bachelor’s degree in political science from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. She is also a graduate of the West Point Leadership Course and the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service (LEAD). Captain Hrubes is the Western District Commander.

Captain Jarad L. Phelps
Captain Phelps has nearly 18 years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince William County Police Department where he was hired in 1996. He began his career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division. During his career, Captain Phelps has served in the Bicycle Unit, as an Instructor at the Academy, as the Bicycle Unit Supervisor, a Patrol Supervisor in the Western District, as a Supervisor in the Criminal Investigations Division, and as Deputy Commander of the Special Operations Bureau. Additionally, Captain Phelps has served in several specialty assignments including Search and Rescue, Honor Guard, and the SWAT Team. Captain Phelps holds a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., and a bachelor’s degree in political science from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. He is also a graduate of the Police Executive Leadership School and the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service (LEAD). Captain Phelps is an Evening Operations Commander.

Lieutenant Shane B. Ash
Lieutenant Ash has more than 13 years of law enforcement experience beginning with the New Orleans Seminary Campus Police Department. He was hired by Prince William County Police in 2001 and began his career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division. He has served as a Patrol Supervisor on the Operations Division, and as Supervisor of the Forensic Services Bureau of the Support Services Division. Also, Lieutenant Ash has served in several specialty assignments including the Civil Disturbance Team, the Honor Guard, and the Incident Management Team. He is also a Peer Fitness Advisor. Lieutenant Ash holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. He is also a graduate of the West Point Leadership Course and the Institute for Leadership in Changing Times. Lieutenant Ash is a Supervisor in the Operations Division.

Lieutenant David L. Burghart
Lieutenant Burghart has more than 12 years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince William County Police Department where he was hired in 2002. He started his career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division, and has served as the Motor Unit Supervisor in the Special Operations Bureau, a Patrol Supervisor in the Operations Division, and a Supervisor of the Special Victims Unit in the Youth Services Bureau, Criminal Investigations Division. Lieutenant Burghart holds a bachelor’s degree in social science from Radford University in Virginia. He is also a graduate of the West Point Leadership Course and the Institute for Leadership in Changing Times. Lieutenant Burghart is a Supervisor in the Operations Division.

Lieutenant Brandan R. Dudley
Lieutenant Dudley has more than 15 years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince William County Police Department where he was hired in 1999. He started his career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division, and has served as an Instructor at the Academy, as a Patrol Supervisor in the Operations Division, as Supervisor of the Narcotics Unit, and as an investigator in the Internal Affairs Bureau. In addition, Lieutenant Dudley served as a member of the SWAT Team for nine years. Lieutenant Dudley holds an associate’s degree in Administration of Justice from Northern Virginia Community College and will graduate from Bluefield College this spring with a Bachelor’s Degree in Leadership and Management. He is also a graduate of the West Point Leadership Course. Lieutenant Dudley is the Commander of the Special Investigations Bureau.

Lieutenant Eileen M. Welsh
Lieutenant Welsh has more than 12 years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince William County Police Department.  Hired in 2002, she began her career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division, and has served as assistant to the Chief of Police, Supervisor of the School Resource Officer Unit, and a Supervisor of the Basic Training Academy. In addition, Lieutenant Welsh served for nine years on the Search & Rescue Team. Lieutenant Welsh holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., and is working toward a master’s degree. She is also a graduate of the West Point Leadership Course. Lieutenant Welsh is a Watch Commander in the Western District.

First Sergeant Joseph T. Dombrowski
First Sergeant Dombrowski has more than 13 years of law enforcement experience, serving first as a police officer with the Houston (Texas) police department.  In 2005, he began his career with the Prince William County Police Department as a patrol officer assigned to the Operations Division, and has served as a Patrol Supervisor with the Operations Division, and Supervisor of the Property Crimes Unit of the Criminal Investigations Division. Additionally, he served as Team Leader of the SWAT Team. First Sergeant Dombrowski holds a bachelor’s degree in quantitative methods in computer science from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. He is also a graduate of the West Point Leadership Course. First Sergeant Dombrowski is a Supervisor of the Basic Training Academy.

First Sergeant Raymond M. Hyatt
First Sergeant Hyatt has more than 11 years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince William County Police Department where he was hired in 2003. He began his career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division, and has served as a detective in the Street Crimes Unit of the Special Investigations Bureau, Criminal Investigations Division and as a detective in the Violent Crimes Bureau, Criminal Investigations Division. First Sergeant Hyatt has also served as a Patrol Supervisor in the Operations Division. First Sergeant Hyatt holds a bachelor’s degree in police science from the George Washington University.  He is also a graduate of the West Point Leadership Course. First Sergeant Hyatt is the Supervisor of the Robbery/Homicide Unit of the Violent Crimes Bureau, Criminal Investigations Division.

First Sergeant Joe N. Robinson
First Sergeant Robinson has more than 27 years of law enforcement experience, beginning with 10 years in the U.S. Air Force Security Police. Hired by the Prince William County Police Department in 1998, he began his career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division, and has served as a crash investigator in the Special Operations Bureau. First Sergeant Robinson holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from National Louis University in Chicago. He is also a graduate of the West Point Leadership Course. First Sergeant Robinson is a Logistics & Support section Supervisor in the Administrative Division.

First Sergeant Jeffrey W. Sheldon
First Sergeant Sheldon has more than 13 years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince William County Police Department where he was hired in 2001. He began his career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division, and has served as a detective in the Narcotics Unit of the Special Investigations Bureau, Criminal Investigations Division. First Sergeant Sheldon holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Mary Washington University in Fredericksburg, Va. He is also a graduate of the West Point Leadership Course. First Sergeant Sheldon is a Patrol Supervisor in the Operations Division.

First Sergeant Bart Stromer III
First Sergeant Stromer has more than 12 years of law enforcement experience, starting with the Virginia Beach (Va.) Sheriff’s Office. He was hired by the Prince William County Police Department in 2004, and began his career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division. First Sergeant Stromer has served as a detective and Supervisor in the Special Investigations Bureau, Criminal Investigations Division for both gangs and narcotics. First Sergeant Stromer holds a degree in computer networking from ECPI in Virginia Beach. Additionally he is a graduate of the West Point Leadership Course and served in the Army for over ten years. First Sergeant Stromer is a Patrol Supervisor in the Operations Division.

Sergeant William J. Franks
Sergeant Franks has more than 15 years of law enforcement experience, beginning with the U.S. Marine Corps where he was a brig guard and primary marksmanship Instructor. He was hired by the Prince William County Police Department in 2003 and began his career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division. He has also served as a warrants officer for the Operations Division Additionally, Sergeant Franks has served in several specialty assignments including the Civil Disturbance Unit, the Command One Operator, and he serves on the Honor Guard. Sergeant Franks is a graduate of Olympic Heights High School in Boca Raton, Fla. Sergeant Franks is a squad Supervisor in the Operations Division.

Sergeant Katherine T. Lewis
Sergeant Lewis has more than seven years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince William County Police Department where she was hired in 2007. She began her career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division and was a detective in the Street Crimes Unit of the Special Investigations Bureau, Criminal Investigations Division. Sergeant Lewis holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Keiser University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Sergeant Lewis is a squad Supervisor in the Operations Division

Sergeant Joseph G. Medawar
Sergeant Medawar has more than 18 years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince William County Police Department where he was hired in 1996. He began his career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division. He has also served as a detective in the Street Crimes Unit of the Special Investigations Bureau, and a detective in the Homicide Unit of the Violent Crimes Bureau – both part of the Criminal Investigations Division. Sergeant Medawar is a graduate of Mont La Salle Catholic High School in Beirut, Lebanon. Sergeant Medawar is a squad Supervisor in the Operations Division.

Sergeant Kimberly M. Norton
Sergeant Norton has more than 25 years of law enforcement experience, beginning with the U.S. Army where she was a military police officer. She was hired by the Prince William County Police Department in 2001 and began her career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division. Sergeant Norton has also served as a School Resource Officer in the Youth Services Bureau, and as a detective in the Special Victims Unit of the Youth Services Bureau, Criminal Investigations Division. Sergeant Norton is a graduate of Connetquot High School in Long Island, N.Y. She is a squad Supervisor in the Operations Division.

Sergeant Matthew B. Smith
Sergeant Smith has more than nine years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince William County Police Department where he was hired in 2005. He began his career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division, and has served as a Supervisor in the Property Crimes Unit, Criminal Investigations Division. Additionally, he has served on the Civil Disturbance Team. Sergeant Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Niagara University in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Niagara County Community College in Sanborn, N.Y. He is a squad Supervisor in the Operations Division.

Sergeant Robert S. Surman
Sergeant Surman has more than 17 years of law enforcement experience, serving first as a police officer with the Los Angeles police department. In 2001, he began his career with the Prince William County Police Department as a patrol officer assigned to the Operations Division. He has served as a detective in the Property Crimes Unit, Criminal Investigations Division, and as the lead control tactics Instructor at the Academy. Additionally, Sergeant Surman has served as a member of the SWAT Team for five years – both as a member and as a sniper. Sergeant Surman holds an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Phoenix College. He is a squad Supervisor in the Operations Division.

Sergeant C. Annie Tyrrell
Sergeant Tyrell has more than 15 years of law enforcement experience, all with the Prince William County Police Department where she was hired as a police officer in 1998. She began her career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division, and served as a School Resource Officer in the Youth Services Bureau, a detective in the Special Victims Unit of the Youth Services Bureau, Criminal Investigations Division, and as a detective in the Homicide Unit of the Violent Crimes Bureau, Criminal Investigations Division. She is also a Peer Fitness Advisor. Sergeant Tyrrell holds an associate’s degree in exercise science from Northern Virginia Community College. She is a squad Supervisor in the Operations Division.

Sergeant Joshua D. Wehmeyer
Sergeant Wehmeyer has more than 18 years of law enforcement experience, beginning with five years in the U.S. Air Force Security Police. Hired by the Prince William County Police Department in 2001, he began his career as a patrol officer in the Operations Division. Sergeant Wehmeyer has served on the Bicycle Unit, as a detective in the Narcotics and Street Crimes units as well as a detective on the ATF Violent Crimes Task Force. Sergeant Wehmeyer is a graduate of Gar-Field High School in Woodbridge, Va. He is a squad Supervisor in the Operations Division.

Administrative Support Coordinator I Sonia G. Dagdag-Carlos
Mrs. Dagdag-Carlos was hired by the Police Department in 2003 as a Public Safety Communications Dispatcher. She moved from that position to one on the Tele-Serv Unit as a Tele-Serv Operator for three years, and then moved to the County Executive’s Office where she was promoted as Administrative Assistant II, for four years. She returned to the Police Department in 2010.  Mrs. Dagdag-Carlos served in the U.S. Navy and hold certifications from various military technical schools.

Telecommunicator II Jennifer Berensen
Ms. Berensen was hired in 2012 as a call taker. She was promoted to Telecommunicator I and became a police dispatcher in 2013 before her most recent promotion.

Telecommunicator II Lauren Masterson
Ms. Masterson was hired in 2014.  Prior to that, she served for three years as a public safety communications officer for the City of Alexandria (Va.) Emergency Communications. She also served for four years as a dispatcher for Long Beach Township (N.J.) Police Department and served four years as a volunteer emergency medical technician in New Jersey.

Telecommunicator II Katelynn M. Southards
Ms. Southards was hired in 2012. Prior to that she worked in the customer service industry and at a company that builds unmanned aerial vehicles.

Assistant Shift Supervisor Nita Lapihuska
Ms. Lapihuska was hired in 2005 as a basic call taker. She was promoted to Telecommunicator II and then Telecommunicator III within her first two years. After that, she was promoted to Training Coordinator. She has been involved in numerous large-scale operations.

Shift Supervisor Tracy Zingg
Ms. Zingg was hired by the County in 1995. She started her career as a 9-1-1 call taker, and was promoted over the years to Telecommunicator I through Telecommunicator IV. She was then assigned as the Training Coordinator and worked as an Assistant Shift Supervisor. With her current promotion, Ms. Zingg is a Telecommunicator V. She is a graduate of the Cardiac Technician and Paramedic Course through The George Washington University. She is also a graduate of the Direct Leadership Course.