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After nearly three decades of public service, Alexandria Police Officer Bennie Evans retired with a legacy of helping homeless residents, strengthening community ties and changing how officers respond to people experiencing mental health crises.

Evans’ career was celebrated Jan. 5 at Alexandria Police Department headquarters. Chief Tarrick McGuire said Evans’ reputation and commitment to service were known throughout the community.

“As I have been throughout the community, your name rings like billboards,” McGuire said. “Everyone knows who you are. Everyone knows you have a heart of service.”

Known widely as “Officer Bennie,” Evans spent more than 20 years patrolling Alexandria, first as a sheriff’s deputy and later as a police officer. His support for homeless residents earned him the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Services in Community Policing—the first time the national honor was awarded for that kind of work.

Evans also became an advocate for crisis intervention. After learning techniques for defusing encounters involving mental illness, he trained hundreds of other officers to use those approaches.

“I spent more time here than any other job,” Evans said. “What saved my career was the opportunity to serve. The only thing that was important to me was ‘did I help somebody?’”

His community work extended beyond his police duties. Evans cooked meals for homeless residents, visited local shelters simply to talk and devoted his own time and resources to building relationships.

McGuire praised the countless personal hours Evans gave to Alexandria, saying his contributions reached far beyond his work as an officer.

“We are all better for the work you have done,” McGuire said.

Evans credited his colleagues for supporting him throughout his career.

“I had a great career but I didn’t do it by myself,” he said. “I was part of a team and I thank everyone here. You allowed me to be who I am.”