Irmo — Christopher Stokes, a corporal with the Irmo Police Department, has been selected as the recipient of the Greg Alia Award, recognizing excellence in community engagement and service.
Stokes was presented the award at the Serve & Connect Illuminight Gala last Friday.
The Greg Alia Award, established by Serve & Connect, honors the legacy of Greg Alia, a Forest Acres Police Department officer who was killed in the line of duty in 2015. The award recognizes officers who demonstrate compassion, dignity and a selfless commitment to their communities.
A 13-year veteran of the Irmo Police Department and a retired sergeant from the Columbia Police Department, Stokes was recognized for a career marked by what colleagues describe as “quiet service” — acts of kindness often unseen by the public.
“What Corporal Stokes does every day is what you don’t hear about in the news,” said Bobby Dale, chief of the Irmo Police Department. “The late Greg Alia used to say that for every bad story you hear about law enforcement, there are millions of good stories that go unseen. Stokes carries that legacy forward; he does what so many other officers across the nation do, only he takes it to a whole new level. I am very proud of the work he does to help bridge the gap between law enforcement and our community.”
Currently serving in the department’s Community Services Division, Stokes has become a key figure in the local community. His nomination highlighted numerous examples of personal service, including:
- Financial stewardship: Using his own funds to assist residents in crisis, including helping cover emergency vehicle repairs and utility needs.
- Youth mentorship: Leading a Dining with Table Manners & Etiquette course to teach children confidence, social skills and personal responsibility.
- Community advocacy: Building long-term relationships with vulnerable residents and helping connect them with needed support beyond traditional policing.
“He helps people because he believes it is the right thing to do — not because anyone is watching,” said Andrea Grinstead, who submitted the nomination. “If the world had more people like Christopher Stokes in it, it would unquestionably be a better place.”
