Prince William County's Finest: Officer Bill Ward Honored

Prince William County Police on Monday honored a longtime patrol officer with its Outstanding Career Service Award. 

Officer Bill Ward is only the fourth officer to receive the award since the department created it in 2005. The department cited Ward's compassion on the job, and the numerous letters from citizens complementing him on his service.

“Officer Ward is someone who strives to excel on the street, the type of officer that we all want to emulate as we serve the public,” said Stephan Hudson, chief of police. 

One time, Ward responded to a call for an attempted suicide. He consoled the woman's husband, who had found her injured in the bathroom. The Fire & Rescue Department had to remove the shower and bathroom doors in order to treat the woman, so Ward stayed behind to clean up and fix the doors. 

In appreciation for Ward's 27 years of service as a patrol officer in eastern Prince William County, the department held a ceremony on Monday and gave him a hand-painted policeman sculpture. The sculpture, called "Law & Order," is customized with the arm patches of the Prince William County Police Department Academy.