Delaware State Police Induct 2023 Honorary Commanders

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 021423 1313

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Delaware State Police Induct 2021 Honorary Commanders- Dover

Dover, DE – On Thursday, July 1, 2021, the Delaware State Police held a ceremony to induct the newly selected Honorary Commanders for 2021. This prestigious event led by our Superintendent, Colonel Melissa Zebley, took place at the Delaware State Police Museum located at 1425 North DuPont Highway, Dover, DE. Colonel Zebley and Secretary of the Department of Safety & Homeland Security Nathaniel McQueen Jr. spoke at the event and helped recognize the importance of the ceremony.

Delaware State Police Headquarters: Ms. Sharon (Sade) Truitt, Public Relations Specialist- First State Community Action

Ms. Sharon (Sade) Truitt’s career in education and civic engagement has focused on the development and connection of people throughout Delaware. As a Public Relations Specialist with First State Community Action, she developed long-range strategic plans and community narratives. Through the non-profit M.A.C.S (Minorities Achieving Collegiate Success), she prepared high school students for the transition to college. In 2014, Ms. Truitt launched a mentoring organization for teen girls called G.I.R.L talk (Gifted, Intelligent, and Royal Leader) with six girls, now serving over 200. Ms. Truitt has run political campaigns, taught middle school English, and researched and presented data-based analyses on “Achievement Gaps in Secondary Education.”

As a 2020 James H. Gilliam Fellow, she devolved policy and advocacy around economic empowerment and equality for women. She is active with The National Coalition of 100 Black Women DE Chapter, Network Delaware, Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, Delaware Adolescent Program INC, and Build Her Brave. In her leisure time, she enjoys the beach, time with her family, and serving in her church, United Church DE.

Ms. Truitt graduated from the Caesar Rodney School District and currently lives in Dover. She is a graduate of Delaware State University with a BA in English and a minor in Psychology and holds an M.S. from Wilmington University in Public Administration.

Troop 1: Dr. Barton Reese, Headmaster of Centerville Layton School

Dr. Barton Reese is the Head of School at Centreville Layton School. He has 35 years of experience in independent school education in a variety of capacities. He has extensive experience providing direct student services (teaching, advising, and coaching) and educational management and administration (business, marketing, admissions, and development).
Dr. Reese grew up in Delaware and attended The Tatnall School from Kindergarten – Twelfth grade. He earned a B.S. in Education from Ursinus College, an M.S.M. from Wilmington College and an Ed. D. Wilmington University.
Dr. Reese co-founded the Layton Preparatory School in 2004 with friend and colleague Ms. Patricia McLaughlin and in 2014 oversaw the merger of Centreville School and Layton Preparatory School which created Centreville Layton School the only independent Pre K – Post Graduate program in the state of Delaware serving students with learning difficulties.

Troop 2 (Patrol):Mr. Bobby Pancake, Owner- Buffalo Wild Wings

After twenty-one years in the restaurant industry, working for companies like Kentucky Fried Chicken, Kenny Rogers Roasters and Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc., Mr. Bobby Pancake moved to Delaware to become a Buffalo Wild Wings (BWW) franchisee and retry his hand as an entrepreneur. Since opening the first restaurant in 2004, High 5 Hospitality has expanded to over 555 employees, and operates eight BWW locations in Delaware & Maryland. They also operate two independent restaurants, The Stone Balloon and Limestone BBQ & Bourbon. In 2019, H5H became an international franchisee of a breakfast concept called Eggspectation with a June opening in Christiana, DE. H5H continues to vet out partnerships and additional franchise and independent brands for future expansion.

Mr. Pancake serves on the Board of Directors for The Delaware Restaurant Association (Chairman–2014-2015) and Franchise Business Services (FBS). He is chair of the Culinary Advisory Committee for the Delaware Department of Corrections. He serves on the Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise Advisory Council (BWWFAC), participating in two subcommittees (Fixed Assets and Restaurant Operations/Execution). He is a Civic Leader with for USAF Air Mobility Command.

Mr. Pancake and his wife Heather reside in Bear, DE. They have two sons in college and a daughter that is a senior at Red Lion Christian Academy. Bobby’s oldest son, Levi, is a Pastor in Syracuse, NY. He and his wife Julie are the proud parents of two children, Sophia and Judah.

Troop 2 (CIU): Mr. David Schell, Director of Operations- The Crooked Hammock Brewery (no photograph available)

Mr.David Schell has been a resident of Delaware for 4 years. He moved from New Jersey when he met his wife Sarah. He has two beautiful step daughters Alyssa (15 years old) and Gabriella (12 years old). They have recently added a wonderful baby boy, Roman Alexander, who is 7 months to their family.

Mr.Schell grew up working in the restaurant industry and has been blessed to turn a passion for delivering a great guest experience and for developing people into a career. He spent nearly 15 years of his life with TGI Fridays and a few other Corporate Concepts and has since found his true forever home with Lavida Hospitality Group. He is currently the Director of Operations in the Northeast for The Crooked Hammock Brewery.

He is personally overjoyed at the opportunity to represent the business as the Honorary Commander for Troop2 and look forward to partnering with Delaware State Police.

Troop 3: Mr. Chad Robinson, Community Relations Director- Food Bank of Delaware

Mr. Chad Robinson is a lifelong Delawarean, having grown up in southern Kent County and attending Woodbridge High School. He is currently the Community Relations Director at the Food Bank of Delaware. He received a B.A. in Political Science from Wesley College and a Master of Public Administration from Wilmington University. Before joining the Food Bank of Delaware, Chad was the Legislative Liaison for Lieutenant Governor Matthew Denn of Delaware. In this role, Chad was responsible for the developing the legislative agenda for the Lieutenant Governor and overseeing interactions with the General Assembly. Previously, Chad worked in various levels of higher education, as well as with the United States Senate. In his role at the Food Bank of Delaware, Chad is responsible for overseeing the advocacy and public policy of the organization, as well as serving the Coalition to End Hunger and a lived experience council, H.E.L.P. (Honoring Experience, Launching Possibilities).

Troop 4: Ms. Deborah (Debbie) Y. Botchie, Town Manager- Town of Millville:

Ms. Debbie Y. Botchie is currently the Town Manager for the Town of Millville and in 2016, she was awarded “Town Manager” of the year for the State of Delaware. In April, she had 15 years of employment with the Town. Prior to working for the Town of Millville, Ms. Botchie worked for a local bank for approximately 21 years before entering a career she dreamed of, or though she thought! She worked for a local law firm for 7 years; however, she had to take a sabbatical to care for her ill mother. In the 15 years working for the Town, Ms. Botchie has seen growth from 282 full-time residents to 1,700 full-time residents; a huge amount of commercial growth, 2 expansions on the Town Hall, and the construction of the Town’s first park/playground and community center. Ms. Botchie also is the “Planning Department” and works very closely with the Town’s Engineer and Town Solicitor on multiple Planned Communities. She often states, “working as a public servant has been the most rewarding career I’ve ever had”. It has always been Ms. Botchie’s goal to spend taxpayers’ monies wisely, invest and save their monies for the future, which she has succeeded in this plan as the Town is fiscally sound with no debt. She was also instrumental in contracting patrols with the Delaware State Police as the Town does not have their own police department. She went from 8 hours per week to the now 40 hours per week of patrol. Ms. Botchie along with several other Millville Volunteers raised monies for Camp Barnes as well as working at the camp to get prepped for the many children who stay at the camp. She has a lust for life and surrounds herself with positive people. Ms. Botchie is a “homegrown” Sussex Countian and graduated from the Indian River High School in 1973. She gets her inspiration from parents, lifepartner Johnny, her 3 sons and daughters-in-law, her Australian Shepherd Zelle Grace, but most importantly, her 9 beautiful and loving grandchildren.

Troop 5: Pastor Isaac Ross, Pastor- Seaford Miracle Revival Center

In 1988 Pastor Isaac Ross started the Milford Revival Center under the guidance of Bishop James Greene. He is married to Co-Pastor Laverne Ross formerly Fletcher and is the father of 5 children Isaac (deceased 1992), Terrance, Terra, Rosalyn and Jadonna and 14 grandchildren. As the result of the sudden death of his eldest son Isaac Jr., he felt led to do something about the crime in Seaford on a strip called third and north or the infamous crack alley. Again being led by the Holy Ghost he gathered a group of men, started having prayer and meetings and they together started the Seaford Revival Center Mission. He consulted with his then Bishop and mentor James Greene and came up with the ideal to call his endeavor a mission instead of a church. The venture was a success and now houses a shelter where people come and meet Jesus and get food and other needs. It is no longer called the Seaford Mission but Delmarva Teen Challenge a place that houses men from 18 and up. This is a work in progress.

In 2004 He formed the Miracle Revival Center in Seaford, DE where God is richly blessing. He loves preaching, teaching, and ministering one on one trying to win souls for Jesus and encouraging people to enjoy life, to become better than you are. Pastor Isaac along with wife Co-Pastor Laverne also work extensively in the Seaford area trying to help those who have lost hope. He’s actively involved in the school district as a big brother and trying to mentor children.

Troop 6: Senator Spiros Mantzavinos, State Senator Seventh Senate District

Senator Spiros Mantzavinos represents the Seventh Senate District, which encompasses Elsmere, Greenbank, Marshallton, Pike Creek, the Lancaster Pike/Newport Gap Pike areas and parts of Newport and Pike Creek.

Raised in Caldwell, New Jersey, Senator Mantzavinos graduated from James Caldwell High School. He later earned a Bachelors’ Degrees in Economics and Political Science from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Delaware.

Senator Mantzavinos got his first taste of government service as a legislative assistant and research analyst with the Delaware Senate in the 1990s. He later gained first-hand experience with economic development issues as a Vice President of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce. Subsequently, he worked as a media relations professional for some of Delaware’s largest employers before launching his own communications consulting firm, The Mantzavinos Group.

Senator Mantzavinos was elected to the Delaware Senate in 2020.

He currently serves as chair of the Senate Banking, Business and Insurance Committee, and a member of the Senate Labor Committee, the Senate Transportation Committee, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, and the Joint Capital Improvement Committee.
Senator Mantzavinos lives in the Westgate Farms neighborhood with his wife, Megan and their adult daughters, Sophia and Katherine.

Troop 7: Coach William W. (Bill) Collick, Board Member- Cape Henlopen School Board

Coach William W. (Bill) Collick is a Lewes, Delaware native who has spent 43 years working in the field of education. His experiences began in elementary school (Rehoboth Beach Elementary), including stints in high schools (Cape Henlopen and Sussex Technical), as well as a time in higher education (Delaware State University). For 12 years, Coach Collick guided the DSU football program through the most celebrated period in team history. In addition, his 44 wins in the MEAC conference ranked second in the history of the league at the time of his retirement.

Coach Collick is well known for efforts on behalf of many charitable organizations throughout the area, including United Way of Delaware, the Delaware Arthritis Foundation, Faith Elementary School, YMCA, Muscular Dystrophy, Big Brothers of Delaware, the non-profit organization (Pathways to Success) and the MERIT program. Also, he is a current board member of the following: Cape Henlopen School District, Habitat for Humanity, and the Lewes Historical Society.

Coach Collick has a history of re-establishing floundering schools and football programs by way of unifying groups of people towards common goals of excellence. He is married to the former Nancy Gooch and they are parents of a daughter Dana and a son Billy, as well as grandparents of granddaughters Jaia, Ma’Kena, and Harper.

Troop 9: Dr. Joshua Mertz, Councilman- Town of Townsend

Dr. Joshua Mertz is a lifelong volunteer in the communities in which he lived. His personal goal in community engagement is to develop trust, concern, and respect – three key tenets for community relationships. He has volunteered on HOA boards, school development committees, professional committees and was a Rotarian (Kennewick, WA). Joshua moved to Delaware with his wife in 2017. He and his wife belief that service is a key aspect of active citizenship and they hope that their community service will be an inspiration for their four children.

Dr. Mertz serves as a councilman on the Town of Townsend Town Council. He chairs several committees including Public Safety. Professionally, Joshua works in the water sector and develops technologies for water treatment at Graver Technologies.

Both the Delaware State Police Troop Commanders and the 2021 Honorary Commanders are looking forward to their mutually beneficial partnerships and working alongside each other throughout Delaware this coming year.

Our Superintendent, Colonel Melissa Zebley and the women and men of the Delaware State Police thank all of the Honorary Commanders for their participation in this highly honored program. This well-regarded community program brings police and civic leaders together to enhance the partnership with the communities we serve.

Congratulations on your selections and thank you for your commitment to serve others.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Web Site

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper

Released: 080421 1158

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Delaware State Police 2020 Honorary Commander Ceremony

Dover – On Monday, February 25, 2020, the Delaware State Police held a ceremony to welcome the newly selected Honorary Commanders for 2020. This prestigious event led by our Superintendent, Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr. took place at the Delaware State Police Museum located at 1425 North DuPont Highway, Dover, DE. Colonel McQueen spoke at the event and helped recognize the importance of the ceremony.

Delaware State Police Headquarters Administrative Staff partnered with Dawne Nickerson-Banez: (not photographed)

Ms. Dawne Nickerson-Banez has been the Chief of Community Engagement at Dover Air Force Base since April 2016. She serves as the liaison between the civilian community and the base community by planning, organizing, coordinating, and conducting documentation, command information, community engagement, and media operations activities. She is a trusted advisor to Wing leadership and project officer. Dawne hosts the Dover AFB Honorary Commander program with 40 participants. The 436^th Airlift Wing is a combined C-5 and C-17 base focused on rapid, global airlift by providing worldwide movement of high priority personnel and cargo. Dover AFB is home to the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center, Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, the Department of Defense’s largest aerial port, and the Air Mobility Command Museum.

Troop 1: Captain John Laird partnered with State Representative Krista Griffith:

Ms. Krista Griffith is State Representative for the 12th District of Delaware, which includes neighborhoods in Hockessin, Greenville and North Wilmington. Currently Krista serves on the following House committees: Telecommunications, Internet & Technology (chair); Judiciary (vice chair); Natural Resources (vice chair); Economic Development, Banking & Insurance; Energy; and Veterans Affairs. Additionally, she serves on the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, a state agency created to improve Delaware’s response to domestic violence and sexual assault.

Troop 2 (Patrol): Captain Jeffery Whitmarsh partnered with Lee Mikles:

Mr. Lee Mikles is the co-owner of OMG Hospitality and operates four “Grain” restaurants in Delaware and Pennsylvania. His flagship restaurant is Grain No. 1 on Main Street in Newark. A little over a year after starting his first restaurant, Grain H2O opened its doors on the harbor in the Summit Marina in Troop 2’s area. Lee is a published author and participates in various boards serving Delaware Residents. His company’s motto is “Award Winning Restaurants that Build Communities.”

Troop 2 (CIU): Captain Melissa Hukill partnered with Steve Masterson (pictured with Lt. Robert Jones):

Mr. Steve Masterson is a retired Non-Commissioned Officer, who proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. Prior to launching Waste Masters, Steve held senior leadership positions at Loomis Fargo & Co., and USA Waste. Steve has led the company in championing many veteran-based causes as a way to thank our nation’s bravest. Last month, Waste Masters presented its Hometown Hero Award for 2017 to the Delaware State Police Mounted Patrol. Established in 2012, the Delaware State Police Mounted Patrol began with only three members and has served as a key outreach unit to communities and provided security at some of the most popular events in Delaware.

Troop 3: Captain Rodney Layfield partnered with Dr. Kevin R. Fitzgerald:

Dr. Kevin R. Fitzgerald is the superintendent of the Caesar Rodney School District. Dr. Fitzgerald began his career in education in Maryland in 1978 as a Social Studies and English teacher. After 13 years in the classroom, Dr. Fitzgerald moved to Delaware becoming Caesar Rodney High School’s assistant principal until 1998, then principal until 2007 when he was selected as superintendent. Dr. Fitzgerald has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Delaware, teaching courses in Leadership and Secondary School Administration. In 2018, he was selected as the National Superintendent of the Year by the National Association of School Superintendents and 2019 was selected as the National Association of Educational Office Professional’s Administrator of the Year. Dr. Fitzgerald has served or serves on a number of Boards including: The United Way of Delaware, the Friends of the Delaware Archives, the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association and the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS).

Troop 4: Captain William Crotty partnered with Bishop Roland Mifflin:

Bishop Roland Mifflin first worked in his former church as a Deacon and an anointed singer. He was later ordained a Minister, an Elder and a local Pastor of The Bible Church of Christ, Inc. in Dagsboro, Delaware. After twenty-one years of dedicated service to the Lord in ministry, God called him to pastor a church, Power & Love Outreach Ministries, Inc. also located in Dagsboro. In 2009, Bishop Mifflin graduated with a Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies from Enlightened Bible Institute in Millsboro, Delaware. In March 2017, the Lord led him to move the church in a different direction and the church he originally established was renamed The Church of a New Beginning, Inc. Bishop Mifflin has a heart for the young people and he is looking forward to building a vision that will minister to the needs of the young and old in the community.

Troop 5: Captain Alice Brumbley partnered with Evelyn Wilson:

Mrs. Evelyn Wilson is a pioneer in community leadership whose personal mission is to exhibit methods to help families unite as a cohesive unit, while also providing a support system on which families can rely. She worked for 25 years in home health care, 6 years in adult foster care, and 5 years as residential youth/after school staff at People’s Place. For 14 years, Mrs. Wilson served as the volunteer Youth Program Coordinator for Coverdale Crossroads community while simultaneously serving as president of the Coverdale Crossroads Civic Association for 12 years. In addition, she has been an active member for First State Community Action Agency Executive Board of Directors for 8 years. In 2017, she founded and became president of Just a Hand up Community Navigation Association, which is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Just a Hand Up serves Sussex and Kent Counties. Their mission is to strengthen the communities, while helping people in need restore their hope, reach their potential, and improve their quality of life.

Troop 6: Captain Jennifer Griffin partnered with Jason Veasey (pictured with Lt. Andrew Hudak):

Mr. Jason Veasey and his wife are 2nd generation owners of Pax Incorporated True Hardware in Prices Corner, Wilmington. Pax True Value Hardware has been there for all of Wilmington’s dreamers, DIYers, and problem solvers. They focus on assisting customers with all the tools of the trade for remodels and repairs, as well as the knowledge to help make any project possible. Their niche is that they treat every customer like a part of the family. Mr. Veasey has been a consistent advocate for the Delaware law enforcement community for over a decade.

Troop 7: Captain Darren Short partnered with Leah Brown:

Ms. Leah Brown divides her time as the Director of the Philadelphia Arms Townhomes Inc in Ellendale, Delaware and works part-time as a Nurse for Christiana Care. She teaches self-management workshops for the Division of Public Health; mentors high school and college students and also volunteers for various organizations. Leah graduated in 2014 from Delaware Technical Community College and became a Licensed Practical Nurse continuing on and in 2017, she graduated from Delaware State University with a degree in Public Health where she received the prestigious Presidential Leadership Award. In May 2019, she graduated from Delaware State University with a Master’s degree in Public Administration and in the Spring of 2020, she will be attending Wilmington University to pursue a degree in the Doctor of Social Science and Preventative Science Program. It is her passion and life’s mission to serve and afford others the opportunities she was given.

Troop 9: Captain Daniel Hall partnered with Thomas Poehlmann:

Mr. Thomas Poehlmann is a highly respected educational leader with 25 years of experience working with young people: in the classroom, and later as a middle and high school administrator. Today, he’s a member of the senior leadership team in Delaware’s fastest-growing school system. In 2018, Tom was asked to take on the challenge of establishing the first Office of Safety, Security, and Operations for the Appoquinimink School District. Last year, he successfully secured a grant to introduce an anonymous reporting app, “Stop It!” to his home district. Priorities for 2020 and beyond include expansion of the District’s security force with the installation of School Constables and/or School Resource Officers on every campus and continued growth in prevention and response capabilities across the District.

Both the Delaware State Police Troop Commanders and the newly selected Honorary Commanders are looking forward to their mutually beneficial partnerships and working alongside each other throughout the state this coming year.

Our Superintendent, Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr. and the men and women of the Delaware State Police express our gratitude and thank all of the amazing and talented Honorary Commanders for their participation in this highly honored program. This well-regarded community program brings police and civic leaders together to enhance the partnership with the communities we serve.

Congratulations on your selections and thank you for your commitment to serve others.

Thank you to Gene Shaner for being there for us and taking the best photos!

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Web Site

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 022620 1342

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Delaware State Police 2019 Honorary Commander Ceremony

Dover – On Wednesday, January 9, 2019, the Delaware State Police held a ceremony which recognized both the outgoing Honorary Commanders for 2018 and welcomed the newly selected Honorary Commanders for 2019. This prestigious event led by our Superintendent, Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr. took place at the Delaware State Police Museum located at 1425 North DuPont Highway, Dover. The Secretary of the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Robert Coupe and the Superintendent of the Delaware State Police, Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr. spoke at the event and helped recognize the importance of the ceremony.

Troop 1: Captain John Laird partnered with Mr. Xavier Teixido (pictured with Lt. Sean Duffy)

Mr. Xavier Teixido is the president of Harry’s Hospitality Group, which operates three concepts in Wilmington, DE: Harry’s Savoy Grill, Harry’s Savoy Ballroom and Kid Shelleen’s Charcoal House & Saloon. He has held the positions of Chef and General Manager at the Frog and Commissary restaurants in Philadelphia as well as the Managing Director of Commander’s Palace in New Orleans, where he worked with the famed Brennan family and Chef Emeril Lagasse.

Troop 2 (Patrol): Captain Jason Sapp partnered with Mr. Elvis Gisiora

Mr. Elvis Gisiora was born and raised in Kisii, Kenya. He immigrated to the USA in the summer of 1996. He is the owner of Gisco Enterprises, LLC. Mr. Gisiora has an abiding passion for community service and has been actively involved in different activities, programs and efforts for over the past 15 years. He is also the Community Outreach Facilitator for his church, Angaza Sharon, in Newark, DE.

Troop 2 (CIU): Captain Pete Sawyer partnered with Mr. Anthony Davis (pictured with Lt. Millard Greer)

Mr. Tony Davis is an area manager with Wawa, overseeing the operation of 14 stores in New Castle County. Mr. Davis has been with Wawa for 25 years and began his career as a 16 year old cashier. Mr. Davis lives in Southern Chester County, PA with his wife and three sons, and is a huge Eagles fan!

Troop 3: Captain Joshua Bushweller partnered with Mr. Denis McGlynn

Mr. Denis McGlynn is the President/CEO of Dover Motorsports, Inc. & Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment, Inc. Mr. McGlynn graduated from Pace University with a BBA in Marketing in 1968. Mr. McGlynn was an officer in the U.S. Air Force from 1969-1972. He has been with Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment, Inc. and Dover Motorsports, Inc. for 47 years.

Troop 4: Captain Rodney Layfield partnered with Mr. Bob Ricker (pictured with Lt. Mentino DiSilvestro)

Mr. Bob Ricker joined the Georgetown Fire Company in 1975 and has served as Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, Vice-President and Board of Directors and currently serves as Secretary. Mr. Ricker served as Mayor of the Town of Georgetown for two terms, Vice-Mayor for one term and 5 years on the towns planning Commission. In 1985, Mr. Ricker and his wife purchased the family business, Baker’s Hardware in Millsboro. Together they have transformed a small hardware store into one of the most successful Outdoor Power Equipment dealerships on the east coast.

Troop 5: Captain Alice Brumbley partnered with Mr. Bob Carey

Mr. Bob Carey is the Executive Director at Delmarva Adult & Teen Challenge. He pioneers a Teen Challenge residential center for men struggling with drug & alcohol addictions. Mr. Carey planted the center in Seaford, Delaware on ‘Third & North Street’ known as ‘Crack Alley’. Over the last 10-years, 225 men have graduated the 12-month residential program and have continued to live a life of purpose, freedom and joy. The program has documented a 93% success rate to those who complete the program. Mr. Carey looks forward to making a significant difference in Delaware for those whose lives are on a ruinous course due to drug addiction.

Troop 6: Captain Matthew Cox partnered with Mr. Walter “Reds” Ferris

Mr. Walter “Reds” Ferris is the owner of Ferris Home Improvements. He grew Ferris Home Improvements from his parents’ basement to a company that manages over 150 people and grossed over $15 million this past year. Ferris Home Improvements has won numerous awards for excellence in professionalism, rapid growth, and community service. Over the last 14 years, Mr. Ferris took what he learned and continued growing as an entrepreneur, partnering to open a successful real estate investment company, a successful bar, a restaurant, and will soon finalize purchase of another bar in the Pike Creek area. Mr. Ferris has been just as active in the community as he is in the business world over the last 14 years.

Troop 7: Captain Darren Short partnered with Mr. Diaz J. Bonville

Mr. Diaz Bonville attend Delaware Technical and Community College in Georgetown, Delaware, where he received an Associate’s Degree in Human Services with a strong concentration in program management and administration. He is the Co-Founder/Volunteer of the West Rehoboth Children & Youth Program, a community based after-school and summer enrichment program for at-risk, low-income, disadvantaged youth. Mr. Diaz has over thirty years of experience in mobilizing and organizing at-risk communities, children, youth and their families, church and after school and summer enrichment programs.

Troop 9: Captain Daniel Hall partnered with Mr. David Zickafoose

Mr. David Zickafoose graduated from West Point in 1999 and was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in the United States Army. During his time in the military he served combat tours in Afghanistan ’03 and Iraq ’06. His primary duty in Iraq was rebuilding the Iraqi police force in the Sal ah Din Province. He facilitated in the training and supply of over 5000 officers to include operations for the first democratic election in the country. After the military Mr. Zickafoose worked for a major biotechnology company in the development of cancer medication. He currently runs two school bus companies that serve the Appoquinimink, Caesar Rodney, and Capital school districts.

Our Superintendent, Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr. and the women and men of the Delaware State Police express our gratitude and thank all of the amazing and talented Honorary Commanders for their participation in this highly honored program. This well-regarded community program brings police and civic leaders together to enhance the partnership with the communities we serve.

Congratulations on your selections and thank you for your commitment to serve others.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on: