2009 Trooper of the Year!

Annually, the Superintendent of the Delaware State Police and the Delaware State Police Executive Staff select the Delaware State Police Trooper of the Year. At a gathering of Troopers and their families at the Wilmington University Dover Campus, Colonel Robert M. Coupe announced Trooper First Class Anthony Andrews as the Delaware State Police 2009 Trooper of the Year for his outstanding efforts and contributions to the Division and the citizens of Delaware.

During 2009, Trooper First Class Andrews was actively involved in 12 drug related investigations. Many of these investigations started as a result of a traffic stop and Trooper First Class Andrews’ initiative to go “Beyond the Traffic Stop.” His un-relentless efforts were instrumental in numerous drug investigations being brought to successful conclusions by the Sussex County Drug Task Force.

Several of these traffic stops not only resulted in the seizure of drugs along with paraphernalia but weapons, sex offenders and fugitives. One of the fugitives was wanted on burglary charges from Florida and the sex offender had been a fugitive from New Castle County since 2007. One traffic stop for a seat belt and littering violation resulted in the location of a loaded handgun in the driver’s waist band. Trooper First Class Andrews is always willing to assist the Sussex County Drug Task Force by providing confidential informants, assistance with surveillance and search warrant executions. A few of the more notable seizures were $4,400.00, 161 grams of marijuana, seven pounds of marijuana and $14,000.00.

Each of these investigations demonstrates the tremendous initiative of Trooper First Class Andrews. His reputation when providing reliable information to criminal investigation units is unmatched at his troop and in Sussex County. He not only provides accurate intelligence to the Detectives but knows and understands the importance of being actively involved whenever his assistance is requested. His involvement in these investigations, with experienced Detectives, has provided him the chance to learn and grow in his young career as a Trooper.

Many times young Troopers tend to focus their attention in one area other areas of their job performance usually suffer. This is not the case with Trooper First Class Andrews’, his performance appraisal for 2009 met or exceeded expectations in all areas and his productivity was at or above the shift and troop averages.