The 47-year-old detective is a retired Navy veteran and has been a Snellville police officer since 2013.
“I’m a member of VFW so it’s kind of cool to get,” Alford said.
The VFW awards are given annually to area teachers, students, firefighters, police officers and emergency medical technicians.
“You guys put your life on the line for us all the time,” said VFW Senior Vice Commander Bob Varone. “We did it in a war situation, but you do it at home. We appreciate it.”
Below: From left, Snellville Veterans of Foreign Wars Senior Vice Commander Bob Varone gives Snellville Police Department Detective Chris Alford the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department Servant Award for Law Enforcement at a ceremony Thursday.
Alford served 20 years in the U.S. Navy, last serving as a Senior Human Resource Manager – Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group SEVEN, Sasebo, Japan. While in the Navy, Alford was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation (2), Meritorious Unit Commendation (2), Good Conduct Service Medal (6), National Defense Service Medal (2), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (3), Southwest Asia Service Medal (3), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
After retiring in 1989, Alford worked as a patrol officer for the University of Georgia Police Department in Athens for three years. He served on the UGAPD Hostage Negotiations and Crisis Intervention Team.
“Because of his education, experience and work ethic, he quickly moved to the department’s Detective Division and has become a successful, contributing member of that division,” said SPD Chief Roy Whitehead. “Detective Alford works complex fraud, Social Media and Cyber Crimes, crimes against children and the elderly, auto theft cases and other general investigation cases bringing many to successful conclusion. Since joining the Snellville Police Department, detective Alford has become active and represents the department with significant community interaction.
Chris holds a MBA in Human Resource Management & Conflict and Negotiation Management, Graduating with honors, from Trident University International in Cypress, Calif. and a Bachelor’s Degree (BSA) in Human Resource Management from the University of Maryland.
Alford is married and has one daughter, Erika, an honor student at South Gwinnett High School.
