| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC June 21, 2007 Diplomatic Security Special Agent Wins Law Enforcement Award for Role in Evacuating U.S. Citizens from LebanonDiplomatic Security Special Agent Joan Andrews received the 2007 Women in Federal Law Enforcement (WIFLE) Julie Y. Cross – International award today for her work in evacuating U.S. citizens from Lebanon during last summer’s conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Andrews is the first Special Agent from the U.S. Department of State receiving this honor.
WIFLE is a non-profit organization established in June 1999. It is the only organization offering awards promoting and recognizing exceptional courage, outstanding accomplishments, and significant contributions advancing the recruitment, retention, and promotion of women in federal law enforcement. All full-time sworn women federal law enforcement officers are eligible for the Julie Y. Cross award. Selection is based on an individual displaying an unusual degree of courage, stamina, and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty, resulting in an exceptional heroic achievement in law enforcement. United States Ambassador to Cyprus, Ronald L. Schlicher, nominated Andrews for the award, citing her work coordinating 300-plus military and civilian colleagues evacuating more than 14,000 Americans from Lebanon via Cyprus in July 2006. In his nomination letter, Ambassador Schlicher praised Andrews’ heroism reflecting the highest ideals of public service and demonstrating extraordinary and tireless devotion to her fellow Americans and their families in a war zone. Agent Andrews attended Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, and graduated cum laude from Newberry College with a Bachelors Degree in International Government and Economics. She joined the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service in 1990. Prior to her posting in Cyprus, she served in Kuwait, the Diplomatic Security training center, Tegucigalpa, Cairo, and at Diplomatic Security headquarters in Washington, D.C. The Bureau of Diplomatic Security is the U.S. Department of State’s law enforcement and security arm. The special agents, engineers, and security professionals of the Bureau are responsible for the security of 285 U.S. diplomatic missions around the world. In the United States, Diplomatic Security personnel protect the U.S. Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries and officials visiting the United States, investigate passport and visa fraud, and conduct personnel security investigations. More information about the U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security may be found at www.state.gov/m/ds. 2007/505 |
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