Sergeant Steve Rau has been named Grand Marshal of the 2014 City of Falls Church Memorial Day Parade.

Rau has been a member of the Falls Church Police Department for nearly 20 years, 15 of which he spent working as the School Resource Officer for the Falls Church City Public Schools. Rau’s service to the schools is what prompted his nomination.

His dedication is recognized outside of his role as SRO, earning the honor of Officer of the Month five separate times. Last year he was promoted to Sergeant, and currently serves as a Watch Commander in charge of a Platoon and he is also the Primary Property Custodian.

Rau’s contribution reaches beyond the community, to the country as a whole. After five years of active-duty service and 16 years in the Army Reserve, Rau retired as a First Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves.

This year’s Memorial Day Parade and Festival will be Monday, May 26, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, visit fallschurchva.gov/MemorialDay.