Delaware State Police Announces the Trooper and Civilian Employee of the Year for 2014

Delaware State Police Announces the Trooper and Civilian Employee of the Year for 2014

 

Cheswold- On Tuesday, March 24, 2015, at 11:30 a.m., in Cheswold, at the Delaware State Troopers Association Hall, The Superintendent of the Delaware State Police, Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr., announced the winners of the Trooper of the Year and Civilian of the Year Award. Employees are recognized with this prestigious award which is celebrated annually.

 

Trooper of the Year

 

Each year the Delaware State Police Executive Staff selects one Trooper for the Trooper of the Year Award.  A Trooper must exceed performance standards and be recognized by his or her peers as one who consistently displays integrity and work ethic to be nominated.

 

This year, eleven Delaware State Troopers were nominated.  The Executive Staff selected Corporal Lloyd “Mike” McCann from Troop 3 patrol as the 2014 Trooper of the Year for his outstanding efforts and contributions to the Division and the citizens of Delaware.

 

Cpl. Lloyd “Mike” McCann has been a member of the Division since October 23, 2009. In that time he has established himself as a hard worker, who is highly motivated, and very productive. He is consistently among shift leaders in all statistical categories. Cpl. McCann has volunteered to take on additional administrative duties such as completing shift vehicle inspections and computer downloads. Cpl. McCann is a positive role model to junior shift members. He is well liked and respected by his shift mates, superiors and the Troop Administration. During the year, Cpl. McCann had multiple proactive vehicle stops where he went above and beyond to investigate drug complaints where several arrests were made and drugs were seized.

 

February 2014, Cpl. McCann was recognized as the Patrol Trooper of the Month for “D” shift. This was a result of his hard work, enforcement efforts and his self- initiated activity.

 

March 2014, Cpl. McCann became a certified S.T.O.P.S. instructor (Strategies and Tactics of Patrol Stops). Cpl. McCann has also spent the past few years teaching Patrol Procedures at the academy.  As a result of his dedication to training, Cpl. McCann became very knowledgeable and proficient regarding officer's safety.  Three months after he attended this training, Cpl. McCann was involved in a deadly force encounter with an armed suspect.

 

While still early in his career, Corporal McCann has already distinguished himself on numerous occasions. He was awarded a Life Saving Award for his role in a 2012 incident where he performed emergency first aid, on a 13 year old shooting victim, helping to save her life

 

On June 25, 2014 at approximately 7:00 am, Delaware State Police Corporal Lloyd McCann had just begun his tour of duty, when unbeknownst to him; he attempted to conduct a vehicle stop on a suspect from an early morning domestic strangulation incident. Cpl McCann, while on patrol initially detected the suspect speeding on State Route 1 just north of the town of Milford. A routine computer check of the registration plate on the vehicle revealed the suspect was wanted for multiple domestic related charges.  A vehicle pursuit ensued after the suspect vehicle failed to stop on command. Upon entering the apartment complex where the victim resided, the suspect abruptly stopped his vehicle on Bayhill Lane just yards from his girlfriend’s (victim) residence who at the time was preparing to get inside of her vehicle to leave for work.  The suspect immediately exited his vehicle and began firing multiple rounds at Cpl. McCann with a 40-caliber handgun, as McCann was exiting his police vehicle. Two rounds struck Cpl. McCann, one in his shooting hand and one in his face/cheek area. Cpl. McCann returned fire, striking the suspect and fatally wounding him. Cpl. McCann knew he had a duty to protect those in the immediate area and selflessly was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the lives of others.  After being shot twice, once in his shooting hand and once in the face, the gravely injured Cpl. McCann, who swore an oath to protect and serve, courageously was able to return fire.  Clearly, if it were not for Cpl. McCann’s fortitude and his ability to perform his duty under the utmost of stressful situations, Cpl. McCann could have lost his life. Cpl. McCann’s actions on June 25, 2014 were brave and extraordinarily courageous. 

Cpl. McCann was recognized as the Troop 3 Trooper of the Month for June 2014. He was also recognized as the Troop 3 Trooper of the Quarter for the second quarter of 2014. .  Corporal McCann was, presented with the Trooper of the Year Award, the highest honor a Delaware State Trooper can receive. This award stemmed from his heroic actions on June 25, 2014 when he was involved in a deadly encounter with an armed felon. He was also awarded for Valor in that incident by the Delaware Fraternal Order of Police.

 

In October 2014, Cpl. McCann completed the certified instructor’s course. He has since participated in several training events at the DSP Academy and the DSP Gun Range.

 

November 21, 2014, Cpl. McCann conducted a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle for an equipment violation. The driver was wanted on a capias and his driver's license was suspended. He is a suspect in two shootings that occurred 2010 and 2013, and a 5 time convicted felon with 56 prior felony arrests. He was arrested on the capias. During a vehicle search, Cpl. McCann seized approximately $4,000.00 USC in suspected drug money from the vehicle.

 

Corporal Lloyd “Mike” McCann is a five-and-a-half year veteran of the Delaware State Police. His current assignment is as a patrol trooper at Kent County’s Troop 3, where he provides an array of policing services to central Delaware’s citizens and visitors.  In addition to his regular duties, Corporal McCann serves as a member of the elite Honor Guard Unit of the Delaware State Police and voluntarily serves as one of our Trooper Recruiters. In that critical role, Corporal McCann represents the Division at a variety of events, informing and recruiting qualified applicants for careers with the Delaware State Police. Furthermore, Cpl. McCann serves as a Field Training Officer who trains new recruit troopers as they begin their careers in law enforcement.

In summary, Cpl. Lloyd Mike McCann performs his duties in an outstanding manner, but also commits many more hours with his community outreach, shedding a positive light on the Delaware State Police. Cpl. McCann is passionate about his career as a Trooper.  Since joining the division, he has demonstrated hard work and dedication on a daily basis. His heroic actions on June 25, 2014 potentially saved the lives of Delaware citizens, while nearly costing Cpl. McCann his own life. The wounds suffered by Cpl. McCann had the potential to end his law enforcement career. He handled this traumatic experience in a positive, professional manner, and returned to patrol as soon as the division allowed. As described above Cpl. McCann, continues to show his resiliency and dedication to DSP, and the citizens of Delaware. The men and women of the Delaware State Police are very proud of Cpl. McCann and grateful for his dedicated service.

 

Picture Attached from Left to Right:

Delaware Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security Lewis Schiliro,

Superintendent of the Delaware State Police Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr.,

Cpl. Lloyd “Mike” McCann – DSP Trooper of the Year,

Attorney General Matt Denn

Lieutenant Thomas J. Brackin DSTA President

 

 

Civilian of the Year

 

Each year the Delaware State Police Executive Staff selects one civilian employee for the Civilian of the Year Award.  Civilian employees who are nominated for this award display outstanding performance and meet the following criteria:

 

1.      Exceptional service as identified by the employee’s performance evaluations

2.      A consistent record of such service through their years of employment

3.      Recognition by their peers for outstanding character and integrity.

 

 

This year four civilian Delaware State Police employees were nominated.  The Executive Staff of the Delaware State Police selected Mr. Ronald Bounds from the Delaware Information & Analysis Center (DIAC) as the 2014 Civilian of the Year. 

 

Mr. Bounds is assigned to the Delaware Information & Analysis Center (DIAC) and has served honorably in that capacity for a decade.   He is currently assigned to the DIAC Critical Infrastructure Unit and is the most senior member.  It is important to outline the responsibilities and successes of the unit to gain an appreciation for Mr. Bounds’ effort and achievement.

 

The Critical Infrastructure Unit maintains important sites, locations, and businesses in Delaware that are central to the day-to-day life of the state’s citizens. These locales affect their health, safety, and security, as well as the state’s economic welfare.  The unit conducts outreach and maintains contact lists for these locations.  This information is shared with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and constitutes a small part of the larger operating picture when looking at the entire United States.

 

Delaware has a significant presence of waterways therefore this unit concentrates its effort on bodies of water by monitoring what is occurring on or near these locations. This is done with the assistance of DIAC intelligence analysts and the DSP Maritime Unit.  From the beginning, this initiative had been built upon partnerships with private industry and other government entities, stretching beyond traditional law enforcement.  This was done with the belief that homeland security is not just a police mission and that it is a collective community effort. These combined resources and agreements are moving the project closer to achieving improved coverage.  Looking beyond the borders of Delaware, the unit shared the information with authorities in the neighboring states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania who possesses a keen interest in what vessel traffic is moving in their direction or along their shores.  

 

A fair part of the Critical Infrastructure Unit’s responsibility is conducting vulnerability assessments for local governments.  Through knowledge gained from training and experience, the unit has pointed out potential security weaknesses and the identified the most prudent and cost-effective remedies for addressing these vulnerabilities.  The intent is to deter a potential threat and/or mitigate the extent of damage if hostile action occurs at a particular location.  This type of assessment has become a required component when formulating grant requests.  As such, requests for assessments are on the rise and additional demands are being placed upon the unit. 

 

The above examples clearly demonstrate that the Critical Infrastructure Unit is extremely effective in taking efforts to protect our Homeland’s important assets and in making our citizens safer.  

 

All of the unit’s forward progress and recent successes are clearly attributable to Mr. Bounds.  His rock-solid work ethic and tireless efforts have enabled a single man to perform as one impressive unit.

 

Picture Attached from Left to Right:

Delaware Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security Lewis Schiliro,

Superintendent of the Delaware State Police Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr.,

Mr. Ronald Bounds – DSP Civilian Employee of the Year,

Attorney General Matt Denn

Lieutenant Thomas J. Brackin DSTA President