Chaplain Florio’s education and awards related to law enforcement and chaplaincy include:
Master of Science in Criminal Justice (December 2004) from Virginia Commonwealth University, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, in Richmond, Virginia.
Master of Divinity (May 2005) from Union Presbyterian Seminary (formally Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education), in Richmond, Virginia. Additional graduate course work focused on Lutheran theology and pastoral care fulfilled at United Lutheran Seminary (formally Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg) in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Union Presbyterian Seminary/Virginia Commonwealth University Dual Degree Program Thesis: Remembering the “Forgotten Factor”: A Redemptive Approach to Developmental Theory (2004). Advisors: C. Schweitzer, M.Div. of Union Presbyterian Seminary, Ph.D. and J. Hague J.D., LL.M. of Virginia Commonwealth University.
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, from the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia: He was a Cadet Captain serving as A Company Commander and a four year Army R.O.T.C. scholarship student. He graduated with the Asa S. Dearing Medal for graduating top in his academic discipline. He was also recognized by the United States Army as a Distinguished Military Student and Distinguished Military Graduate. Upon graduation, he was commissioned in the U.S. Army Reserves; serving eight years in the Maryland National Guard and Individual Ready Reserve as a Tactical Military Intelligence Officer.
Graduate, Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy, Basic Law Enforcement Certification, Session #71.
Senior level credential for law enforcement chaplaincy through the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC). Senior level is the second of five levels offered by the organization. The Senior credential requires completion of basic ICPC credentialing requirements, a minimum of five years’ service as a chaplain, and the completion of 15 CEU (150 contact hours) of chaplaincy training. He recently began serving on the ICPC Education Committee and ICPC Peer Support Team.
Virginia DCJS Class, Introduction to Peer Support (2023), to qualify as a member of the City of Fredericksburg Police Department’s Peer Support Team. The class was completed through the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy.
Clinical Pastoral Education, 1 Unit, through Mary Washington Healthcare/Virginia Commonwealth University.
National Sheriff’s Association Medal of Merit, February 2018, for “contributions to the community and the field of law enforcement and criminal justice.”
Criminal Justice Outstanding Leadership Award, Virginia Commonwealth University, the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, December 2004.
City of Alexandria Kiwanis Police Officer of the Year, 1995, for community policing efforts and crime interdiction while serving in Patrol Division One’s Mountain Bicycle Patrol Unit.
During his active police service, Chaplain Florio was awarded six Chief’s Outstanding Achievement or Performance Awards and two Official Commendation Letters while serving in patrol with the City of Alexandria (VA) Police (1988-1994). His assignments included: Division 1 (Midnight) Patrol, Field Training Officer, Division 1 Mountain Bicycle Patrol Unit, Breathalyzer Operator, and the Civil Disturbance Team. He is a graduate of the 71st Session of the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy (March 1989), where he was elected President of his class by his peers. Additional in-service education was completed as required. He resigned in good standing as a Police Officer 2 in order to pursue full time ministry in December 1994.
In 1994, he founded and participated in the Get MADD Across Virginia Bicycle Tour raising awareness and funds for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) across Virginia. The ride started at Cumberland Gap (where TN, KY & VA meet). Officer Lou Florio and Officer Willie McMeans travelled north through a number of major cities and towns (Roanoke, Staunton, Charlottesville, Richmond, Fredericksburg) and finished at the waterfront park in Alexandria. Local agencies escorted them or had their bicycle patrol officers accompany the two Aleaxandria officers through their jurisdication or region during the ride. Many media stops and visits to college campuses were completed along the way. Longest segment: Day 4 – 130 miles. Total distance: 565 miles in 6 days.
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