Recognized for his efforts in enhancing safety not only for the staff and inmates of the City Jail but also the surrounding community, Woody was commended for setting up a new mental health tier at the Richmond City Jail, dedicated solely to the needs of psychologically challenged inmates.

Under his leadership, the completion of cell upgrades and lock replacements for almost 300 locks at the facility added protection for inmates, employees and the community. Woody restarted the education program for female inmates, as well as doubled the men's education program, which is dedicated to education and GED preparation. Participating in the "Long Walk to Freedom," Woody was instrumental in raising community awareness on the challenges that ex-offenders face upon community re-entry.

Woody is a member of the Central Virginia Chapter and serves on its membership committee.

Edwards has been an active member of the Central Virginia Chapter since its inception in 1994. He has held many executive positions, including financial secretary, chapter president and vice president. His contributions to the chapter include being a presenter for the chapter's Community Forum, featuring "The Law and You," and being one of the instructors for the chapter's eight-hour training, "Supervisory Techniques for the Non-Supervisor," and its 40-hour "Basic Supervisors School."

He is co-chairperson of the CVC Membership Committee and is a member of the chapter's Education and Training and Ways and Means committees. Edwards participates in various chapter events and is always willing to offer guidance and assistance as needed.

Ragland is an active member of the Central Virginia Chapter. He serves as the chapter's treasurer and is the chairperson of its Education and Training Committee.

He was also recognized for researching and implementing a bank robbery prevention program that uses GPS technology.

Bell implemented the Virginia Beach Police Department's first Cold Case Squad that systematically reviews unsolved cases while using qualified volunteers to help.

Bell is a member of NOBLE, Hampton Roads Chapter.

The awards program was held at the Cedar Street Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Virginia Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell was the keynote speaker.

McDonnell thanked the law enforcement agencies that were represented at the breakfast. Highlighting the continuous need to provide crime prevention programs focusing on youth, he commended NOBLE, Central Virginia Chapter, for its community awareness initiatives, particularly its community forums, featuring "The Law and You," and its partnership with his office's Internet safety awareness, gang awareness and the Cal Ripkin Sr. Foundation's "Badges of Baseball" programs.

NOBLE is an incorporated, nonprofit organization representing approximately 3,500 members nationwide, primarily law enforcement chief executive officers and command-level officials for federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies, criminal justice educators, and people interested in furthering the goals and objectives of the organization.

NOBLE has more than 57 chapters throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean. The national organization was first conceptualized during a 1976 symposium on reducing crime in urban low-income areas, sponsored by the Joint Center for Political Studies, the Police Foundation, and the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration.