After nearly three decades of distinguished service, Alexandria Police Officer Bennie Evans has retired, leaving behind a legacy defined by compassion, community connection, and a commitment to some of the city’s most vulnerable residents. His retirement was celebrated Jan. 5 at APD headquarters, with Chief Tarrick McGuire praising Evans’ unwavering dedication to serving others.

“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. Your strong bonds with the homeless, your constant care and selfless acts of kindness are appreciated by those that have been impacted.”

Evans, widely known in the community simply as “Officer Bennie,” built his career on human connection. For more than 20 years, he patrolled Alexandria both as a sheriff’s deputy and later as a police officer. His work supporting homeless residents earned him national recognition, including the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Services in Community Policing, the first ever given for such work.

Throughout his career, Evans championed crisis intervention approaches, becoming trained in defusing situations involving mental illness and later training hundreds of other officers in those techniques.

“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?’”

Evans also became known for his hands-on volunteerism including cooking meals for homeless residents, stopping by local shelters simply to talk, and investing personal time and resources into strengthening community bonds.

McGuire noted the countless hours of personal time Evans dedicated to the community.

“Your service goes beyond your actions as a police officer,” McGuire said. “We are all better for the work you have done.”

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