Middleburg Says ThanksTo Lieutenant Mark Putnam

By Bridge Littleton

Lieutenant Mark Putnam

At the end of September, the Town of Middleburg said farewell and thank you to Lieutenant Mark Putnam as he retired after more than 29 years of public safety and law enforcement service, including 13 years with the Middleburg Police Department.

Mark began his career at Coffeewood Correctional Center in 1997 before joining the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in 1999. He later served with the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office and the Town of Gordonsville Police Department before joining Middleburg as a police officer on July 2, 2013.

Over the next 13 years, Mark became an important part of both the Police Department and the Middleburg community. He was promoted to Corporal in 2018 and Lieutenant in 2023. Along the way, he continued his professional development through the Institute for Leadership in Changing Times, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police New Chiefs/Deputy Chiefs School, and the Professional Executive Leadership School.

But Mark’s service to Middleburg has always extended well beyond his rank or uniform. He has served as a field training officer, helping prepare other officers for service; as the department’s lead taser instructor; and as a key member of the team responsible for keeping some of Middleburg’s largest events safe and successful, including Christmas in Middleburg.

Perhaps one of Mark’s most visible contributions has been his leadership of Middleburg’s annual National Night Out. Town records specifically credit Mark with taking responsibility for the event and doing an “outstanding job,” helping Middleburg create an event that strengthened relationships between residents, families and their police officers.

That commitment to community policing was recognized in 2025 when Mark was named the Middleburg Police Department Officer of the Year. In presenting the award, Chief Shaun Jones highlighted Mark’s dedication to special events, his work strengthening community relationships, and the professionalism and approachability that have earned him the respect of fellow officers and residents alike. 

For those of us who have had the privilege of knowing and working with  Mark, those qualities come as no surprise. He has served Middleburg with professionalism, dependability, good humor and a genuine commitment to the people who call our town home.

On behalf of the Town Council and the entire Middleburg community, we thank Lieutenant Mark Putnam for his extraordinary service and wish him a long, happy and well-earned retirement.