DC National Guard Recognizes USMS and Other Partners for Role in ‘Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful’ Initiative

Washington, DC - The District of Columbia National Guard held its inaugural Law Enforcement Recognition Ceremony at the D.C. Armory Thursday to honor 17 U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) employees and members of several other partner agencies for their role in the “Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful" initiative.

Officers from 10 agencies were recognized, each receiving the District of Columbia National Guard Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, or the Distinguished Service Medal based on their individual achievements and level of impact. Recipients were selected for their role in supporting National Guard missions and strengthening cooperation between military and civilian law enforcement partners.

17 U.S. Marshals Service employees received the Meritorious Service Medal:

•    Chief Inspector David Smith – Tactical Operations Division
•    Chief Inspector Donald Snider – Investigative Operations Division
•    Chief Inspector Michelle Hamilton – Intelligence
•    Chief Inspector Thomas Pellicane – Judicial Security Division
•    Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Jaime Galindo – District of Nebraska
•    Senior Inspector Christopher Hart – Tactical Operations Division
•    Senior Inspector Richard Simonelli – Tactical Operations Division
•    Deputy U.S. Marshal Antonio Silveri – Eastern District of New York
•    Deputy U.S. Marshal Daniel Tebo – Southern District of Ohio
•    Deputy U.S. Marshal Kailee Healey – Middle District of Florida
•    Deputy U.S. Marshal Joshua Shearer – Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force
•    Deputy U.S. Marshal William Laffin – Office of Wellness and Resiliency/Critical Incident Response Team
•    Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Joshua Finniss – Southern District of Iowa
•    Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal David Wollschlager – District of Montana
•    Assistant Chief Inspector Miguel Santiago – Critical Incident Response Team
•    Chief Inspector Marcus Malone – OMBUDS
•    Investigative Analyst Jennifer Menendez-Rosario – District of D.C.

“The D.C. National Guard has been an exceptional partner from the very first day of this operation,” said Incident Commander David Smith, Chief of the USMS Office of Emergency Management.  “The D.C. National Guard rarely needs anything from us, so when the call comes, we are always willing to jump into action to assist in any way we can.   It has been an honor to work alongside them for the past seven months and although recognition is never expected, it is certainly an honor to receive it.”

Don Snider, acting Assistant Director of the USMS Investigative Operations Division and Task Force Operations Commander, said it’s been “absolutely amazing” to be part of the most impactful violence reduction operation in modern history.

“Working side by side with the men and women of the National Guard to help make our Nation’s capital city safe and beautiful has been the honor of a lifetime,” he said. “It is very humbling to receive such recognition.”

“Being a part of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful task force truly resonates with me, and I am deeply honored to be a part of something that has historic and impactful as what we’ve built together,” said Michelle Hamilton, Chief of USMS Intelligence. “ It has been incredible to witness what happens when such talented and dedicated partners lean into one another’s strengths, unify around a common purpose, and turn vision into reality, and it is deeply humbling to be part of something where we can so clearly see the difference being made. I am profoundly grateful that the DC National Guard took the time and care to recognize our law enforcement partners in such a thoughtful and meaningful way, and I am truly humbled to be included among those honored.”

Other agencies recognized included the U.S. Attorney's Office, the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Park Police, Amtrak Police Department, Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority, Metro Transit Police Department, Homeland Security Council, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Tactical Medicine.

“Thank you for standing on the front lines to make America safe again,” said U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. “Today’s ceremony is about teamwork; it’s about a shared mission and it’s about the incredible results that have all been achieved because of you.”

USMS Director Gadyaces Serralta reminded the audience that law enforcement has partnered with the National Guard in some of the country’s most pivotal moments in history and touted the results of the D.C. Safe Task Force, citing its more than 10,000 arrests, more than 1,000 illegal firearms seized “from individuals who should have never had a firearm in the first place,” and location and safe return of 19 missing children.  

“We’ve accomplished so much in the past six months, and we must ensure that we recognize the hard work that goes into this mission every day,” said Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, Commanding General (Interim) of the D.C. National Guard. “In anticipation of America’s 250th birthday, I think it’s a great opportunity to stop and pause to say thank you to those who work side-by-side with us.”

After the awards presentation, Blanchard inducted the award recipients into the inaugural cohort of the Order of the Capital Guardian, recognizing these “exceptional partners” who have contributed to the safety and security of the District of Columbia.  

The ceremony was dedicated to the memories of Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Officer Terry Bennett and U.S. Army Sgt. Sarah Beckstrom, both of whom lost their lives in the line of duty during the operation, and honored the courage and resilience of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe.

Bennett, 32, a nearly eight-year veteran of MPD, was struck by a vehicle on Dec. 23, 2025, while assisting a motorist on I-695. He succumbed to his injuries Jan. 7.  

Beckstrom, 20, had served with the West Virginia National Guard for two years and was assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade when she and fellow Guardsman, Wolfe, 24, were ambushed Nov. 26, 2025, near the Farragut West Metro Station by an Afghan national who shot them both in the head.

Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries the following day. Wolfe was critically injured in the attack but continues to make what many consider a miraculous recovery.  

President Trump awarded Beckstrom and Wolfe the Purple Heart during Tuesday’s State of the Union address.

The D.C. Safe and Beautiful operation was initiated in early August at the direction of President Trump, with USMS Director Serralta leading a task force of more than 3,100 people from 28 agencies conducting enforcement activities in all eight wards in the district.

The initiative is focused on arresting violent criminals, clearing warrants, seizing firearms, and locating missing children and all committed to a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, apprehend, and hold accountable those who pose a threat to public safety.

As of Thursday morning, the task force had arrested 10,234 violent fugitives, including 29 for homicide, 1,736 for narcotics, 895 for weapons offenses, 34 for sex offenses, 58 known gang members, and 383 juveniles. The task force had also seized 1,061 illegal firearms.

The Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force is making history as the largest collaboration of law enforcement and the National Guard to proactively end crime in a major city. The task force is well on the way to making D.C. the safest and most beautiful city in America.