Delaware State Police Announces 2025 Trooper and Professional Staff of the Year

Date Posted: Saturday, April 25th, 2026

The Delaware State Police announced the recipients of the 2025 Trooper of the Year and Professional Staff of the Year Awards during a ceremony on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. To highlight the importance of the event, notable attendees included Governor Matt Meyer, Chief Deputy Attorney General Dan Logan, Department of Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Joshua Bushweller, Colonel William D. Crotty, and Sergeant Shawn Doherty, President of the Delaware State Troopers Association, who all offered congratulatory remarks.

Trooper of the Year

The Delaware State Police Trooper of the Year is awarded annually to one sworn employee who is recognized by their peers as having outstanding character and integrity and whose actions or performance significantly exceeded expectations during that calendar year.

From the twelve nominees, Colonel Crotty and the Executive Staff selected Corporal Robert Prettyman as the 2025 Trooper of the Year for his exceptional efforts and contributions to the Division and the citizens of the State of Delaware.

Trooper of the Year Nominees

Trooper First Class Colin Osler – Troop 1

Detective Justin Adams – Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit

Trooper First Class Jonathan Lado – Troop 2 Patrol

Detective Brandon Yencer – Troop 3 Criminal Investigations Unit

Trooper First Class Jacob Pangle – Troop 3 Patrol

Detective Heidi Lingo – Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit

Trooper First Class Brian Nieto – Troop 4 Patrol

Corporal Robert Prettyman – Troop 5

Corporal/1 Matthew “Ty” Snook – Troop 6

Corporal/1 Ryan Nowakowski – Troop 7

Corporal Emanuel Velez – Troop 9

Detective Michael Macauley – Headquarters

Professional Staff of the Year

The Delaware State Police Professional Staff of the Year is awarded annually to one employee whose service with the Delaware State Police has been outstanding throughout the course of that calendar year.

From the eleven nominees, Colonel Crotty and the Executive Staff selected Revered Jeffrey A. Miller, Sr. as the 2025 Professional Staff of the Year. Reverend Miller is assigned to Troop 2 and also serves as a Chaplain for the division.

Professional Staff of the Year Nominees

Ms. Mayra Cruz-Chavez – Victim Services

Ms. Ashleigh Haines – State Bureau of Identification

Ms. Sonia Jonas – Troop 3

Mr. Barry Laise – KENTCOM

Ms. Kerry-Gene Lussier – Information Technology

Reverend Jeffrey A. Miller, Sr. – Troop 2

Ms. Heather Neeld – RECOM

Ms. Donna Newth-Showell – Troop 6

Mr. Schyler Outten – SUSCOM

Ms. Nicole Sund – Delaware Information Analysis Center

Mr. Robert Zurlo – Troop 5 Transportation

Additionally, Troopers, Professional Staff, and non-divisional members received several awards for Life Saving, Exceptional Performance, the Superintendent’s Citation, and Valor.

Congratulations to all award nominees and the recipients. Please enjoy the award ceremony highlight video below.