PFC Earl Culbertson (left) receives his Officer of the Month award from Capt. Bob Blakley, commander of the Sully District Station. Photo Courtesy of Tara Gerhard
Reliable, a team player and a skilled motorcycle rider — that’s how Lt. Tim Burgess describes police PFC Earl D. Culbertson. In fact, as Culbertson’s supervisor, Burgess thinks so highly of him that he nominated him for Officer of the Month.
As a result, Culbertson received this honor and was recently feted by the Sully District Station and its Citizens Advisory Committee. In his nominating letter, Burgess explained why the officer deserved this recognition.
“PFC Culbertson has consistently exhibited an impeccable work ethic,” wrote Burgess. “He is meticulous about the details of his assignments and often volunteers for additional duties in order to serve the public and meet the needs of the Sully District Station. And his standard operating procedure in the area of traffic management and enforcement is unmatched.”
Noting that every policing job requires certain, minimal efforts and documentation, Burgess said Culbertson’s actions “define the personality and dedication of an employee who is extremely conscientious toward policing and relationships. He is an extremely reliable employee who possesses a positive mental attitude and consistently arrives to work happy and upbeat.” And because of it, said Burgess, Culbertson’s personal attributes help create a “positive and pleasant” work environment.
Culbertson has been assigned to the Sully District Selective Enforcement Team since July 2014. And according to Burgess, ever since joining it, Culbertson has been an essential part of the team, deploying radar trailers, sign boards, traffic counters, and conducting strategic enforcement where needed. He also keeps on top of scheduled events and takes care of assignments and needed deployments with little supervision.
“Culbertson is a co-worker who eagerly assists others and remains at work until the mission is complete,” wrote Burgess. “He does this while utilizing minimal leave and rarely asking for accommodation. He consistently exemplifies teamwork and good communication while continuing to produce a high volume of work with a high level of accuracy.”
Further praising Culbertson, Burgess said he’s also been highly committed to community outreach by recently speaking to newly arriving au pairs about policing in the United States, as well as talking to a local Girl Scout troop at the Compton Village Community Center about vehicle crashes, traffic stops and other traffic-enforcement information.
“Culbertson is a high-level producer, and his commanders, supervisors and the citizens of Fairfax County, alike, have benefited from the fruit of his labor,” wrote Burgess. “He has enjoyed a fantastic career thus far and was recently selected to attend the prestigious, Fairfax County Police Motorcycle School, after successfully obtaining a high rating on the recent police motorcycle process. I commend him for a job well-done and proudly nominate him for the Citizens Advisory Committee Office of the Month Award.”