Volusia County, FL - Sheriff Ben Johnson has honored several stand out VCSO employees for their good work in the 2nd quarter of 2016.
Matthew Tremblay was named the Deputy of the Quarter for leading the way in the dismantling of a major theft ring, and for all the work he does to maintain VCSO's motorcycles. Tremblay, who's referred to as the motorcycle "MacGyver," is a 12-year veteran and a member of the Traffic Homicide Unit. He's the agency's top man when it comes to motorcycle issues (work he does on top of his regular duties investigating traffic crashes), and he frequently responds to after hour calls even when he's off duty.
Sgt. Virgil Ford was recognized as the Investigator of the Quarter. Ford was instrumental in "Operation Fitbit," which helped disrupt an ongoing theft ring and resulted in the recovery of $85,000 worth of stolen goods. "Not only was his work on 'Operation Fitbit' instrumental to the outcome of the case," said LT. Michelle Newman, "but he also worked many other active cases himself so that the District 6 investigators could focus solely on 'Operation Fitbit.'"
The civilian Employee of the Quarter was Andrew Gant from the Public Information Office. He worked diligently on several of VCSO's recent community outreach events, including a deputy's campaign to get basketball hoops to 6 families in need, a "Cops and Kids" basketball game and a skating event with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Volusia and Flagler Counties, and efforts to check on and deliver items to people living in the woods around DeLand. The goal of these campaigns is to increase the community's awareness of VCSO's positive contributions to the area in addition to law enforcement work. Deputy Morris Froscher noted that Gant "has helped out a litany of other deputies with regards to having their praiseworthy actions documented."
Christina McCabe was honored as the Telecommunicator of the Quarter. After the June 12 mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, she bought cards of support and condolences and got them signed by her coworkers then used one of her only nights off to hand deliver them to first responders and dispatchers in Orlando. “We are under so much stress taking call after call and dispatching to our units that sometimes it feels like we are carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders,” said Michael Peterson, also a VCSO Telecommunicator. “She has taken high-priority calls where we have caught the bad guy, and she has had heartbreaking calls where an infant who never got to experience life is no longer with us. But through thick and thin, she puts one foot in front of the other, stays positive and tries to make an impact on not only her coworkers but the people of Volusia we serve.”
The Volunteer of the Quarter was awarded to Kenneth Gilleo, an audio-visual volunteer who produced 3 DVD's on the VCSO's citizen volunteer and chaplain programs. He took hundreds of pictures and videos of volunteers to use in the presentations at the annual volunteer appreciation banquet. Right now he's working on new recruiting videos, and he's produced DVDs for other agency events. "His audio-visual contributions exceed the scope of his responsibilities as a volunteer," said administrator Carol Keesecker.
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2016.
