Post Recent Events - 2024 - 2025

At its January 16 2025 meeting, Post 9835 recognized five outstanding public servants with its annual Law Enforcement/First Responder Awards.  From the Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company, EMT Sergeant Thomas Litchford & Firefighter Walter Faryniarz.  From the Fauquier County Sheriff's Office Public Safety  (Dispatcher) Krista Bouie & Master Deputy Sheriff Christopher Meyer.  And from the Warrenton Police Department Detective CPL Richard Kniatt.  Detective Kniatt's achievements were deemed so noteworthy as to justify submission to the Department for consideration for State-level recognition.  

His citation appears below: 

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9835 presents its 2024 Law Enforcement Public Servant Award to Detective Corporal Richard J. Kniatt of the Warrenton Police Department.  A member of the Department since September 2018, CPL Kniatt possesses a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and forensic computing and a master’s in cybersecurity.  In the year just passed CPL Kniatt closed multiple high-profile investigative cases including ones involving murder, child sexual abuse and a missing and endangered juvenile.  In this latter cases, the female juvenile was suffering from mental health issues and was not taking her medications when she left Warrenton.  As lead investigator, CPL Kniatt collaborated with local  and state officials as well as law enforcement and governmental authorities in Washington, D.C. and from four different New York State agencies.  He coordinated the attempt to forensically analyze the juvenile’s cellular phone which she left behind when she fled Warrenton in an effort to garner clues as to her destination.  He spoke with the girl’s family and friends along with anyone else who might provide insight into her actions and destination.  As a result of his diligent work and partnerships, he was able to track the juvenile from Warrenton to Washington D.C. to New York City where she was located five days after her disappearance.  CPL Kniatt’s tenacious work ethic and constant communication and follow-up with New York authorities were the key reasons that this female juvenile was located and returned safe and sound to her family and to the help  she needed.  CPL Kniatt’s dedication to our community and his profession set a standard of excellence and reflects great credit upon himself, the Warrenton Police Department and Law Enforcement Professionals everywhere.