Trooper of the Year
Each year the Delaware State Police Executive Staff selects one trooper for the Trooper of the Year Award. To be nominated, a trooper must exceed performance standards and be recognized by his or her peers as one who consistently displays integrity and work ethic.
This year, nine Delaware State Troopers were nominated. The Executive Staff selected Sgt. Dannaile Rementer from the Troop 4 Sussex County Drug Unit as the 2015 Trooper of the Year for her outstanding efforts and contributions to the Division and the citizens of Delaware.
Dannaile has been a member of the Division since September 8, 2006. In that time, she has established herself as a hard worker, who is highly motivated, detailed and very productive. Due to her tenacious work ethic and ability to work well with others, she was transferred into the Sussex County Drug unit on May 16, 2011 where she continued to excel in her capacity as an undercover drug detective.
Amongst her peers in the law enforcement community, Detective Rementer is regarded as an expert in the area of clandestine methamphetamine laboratory investigations. In addition to emergency responses to these Hazmat scenes, she also proactively investigated meth. labs to uncover them throughout Sussex County. She is highly skilled in this area and has been certified by the Drug Enforcement Administration at their clan lab school in Quantico, VA. Detective Rementer is routinely called upon by other members of the Delaware State Police, members of DNREC Waste and Hazardous Substance Team, and other agencies throughout the state for her expert opinion in clandestine methamphetamine laboratory investigations.
Her individual productivity statistics during 2015 are merely one reflection of her overall performance. Within the first six months of the year alone, she made 41 Felony and 12 Misdemeanor arrests. She individually seized 3317 grams of marijuana, 281 grams of cocaine, 39.37 grams of crack cocaine, 3.802 grams of methamphetamine, and a remarkable 62.42 grams of heroin, a drug that is widely known as creating an epidemic across the country.
One stellar example of her impact on the heroin trade includes a several month long investigation she conducted in early 2015. Detective Rementer concluded this investigation by executing two search warrants located at the Sunrise Motel Seaford, DE where the total seizure included 8088 bags of heroin, $7537 in suspected drug sale proceeds, and a fully loaded Ruger 9mm handgun.
Another significant example of Detective Rementer’s performance for 2015 was demonstrated during Operation “In the House” which initiated in March 2015. Detective Rementer was one of three investigators conducting this investigation. The Troop 4 Major Crimes Unit, Delaware State Police Homicide Unit, Sussex Drug Unit, and the Delaware Department of Justice organized and conducted this operation which targeted an organized crime enterprise. The suspects in the organization were involved in Homicides, Racketeering, Home Invasion Robberies, Illegal Weapons Possession, and the Distribution of Illegal Narcotics. The performance of Detective Rementer in collaboration with others during the investigation resulted in one of the most successful and celebrated investigations in the history of the Delaware State Police. The initial phase of the operation ended with the execution of over 25 search warrants. At that time, a Sussex County Grand Jury indicted 30 individuals. As a result of the investigation, the following items were seized: 2,321.7 grams (over 2 kilograms) of cocaine, 108.03 grams of heroin, (over 7,200 bags of heroin), 7,921.65 grams of marijuana, .02 grams of methamphetamine, and 41 prescription narcotic pills. Investigators also recovered and seized $135,310.00 in suspected drug sale proceeds, 19 firearms, and 15 vehicles. Of greater importance, indictments were obtained for thedefendant’s involvement in a Double Homicide and Home Invasion which occurred on June 22nd, 2015.
Dannaile’s former supervisor, Sgt. Mark Dawson says, “Detective Rementer is an outstanding investigator who clearly possesses the characteristics of an elite Detective. Her character is that of a leader who is well respected amongst her peers. Her knowledge, skills, and ability combined with her strong work ethic are evident and exemplified in her performance during 2015.”
Dannaile’s Troop Administration says, “The personal characteristics of Detective Rementer allowed her to shine as a Detective and a leader in the Sussex Drug Unit. She is highly motivated with impeccable administrative skills and a willingness to go the extra mile for her fellow Detectives. She would always be willing to work long hours to help her team members with their respective investigations. Her work ethic is meticulous while she is always mindful of case law and drug unit policy and procedures to ensure successful prosecution of her cases. Detective Rementer is routinely tapped as an expert witness for her opinion and court testimony in reference to her fellow officers’ investigations.”
Sgt. Rementer represents the epitome for this prominent award.
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, seven civilian Delaware State Police employees were nominated. The Executive Staff of the Delaware State Police selected Agent Donna Farra from the Troop 2 Criminal Investigative Unit as the 2013 Civilian of the Year.
Agent Farra’s career with the Delaware State Police began on July 1st of 2006. Since then, she’s served as an Investigative Agent in our Drug Diversion Unit. An extremely knowledgeable investigator, she brought with her a great deal of experience from various factions of law enforcement. From 2002 to 2006, Agent Farra was a paralegal at the Delaware Department of Justice. Prior to that, she served as a deputy sheriff in Pennsylvania for several years.
In April of 2015, Agent Farra was selected to take over and review several cases from a fellow Agent who was soon to retire. Her instincts led her to a decision to significantly expand the investigation of one particular case. This investigation eventually revealed additional instances of the identified suspects forging prescriptions. She also discovered an additional previously unidentified co-conspirator and tied in suspects from other cases. Her efforts subsequently directly led to the arrest of 5 defendants on a total of 52 felony charges.
In another example, Agent Farra initiated an investigation into stolen and forged prescriptions from an anonymous Crime Stoppers complaint in September. With very little information to go on, Agent Farra’s investigation revealed that a former employee of a local doctor had stolen a prescription pad from the office. This individual then went on a spree, forging numerous prescriptions over a 3 month period to illegally obtain over two hundred 30mg Adderall tablets (a Schedule II Narcotic). Agent Farra’s investigation resulted in 15 felony charges against this defendant.
Not only does Agent Farra handle more than her share of investigations, she consistently assists her co-workers whenever necessary. During one particular period when Troop 2’s Financial Crimes Unit found itself overwhelmed with cases and short on investigators, Agent Farra stepped up to the plate. Because she was able to clear up several cases, the unit’s Investigators were able to focus on larger scale cases that required more in-depth attention. The FCU Sergeant was quick to point out that she had done an excellent job and required very little supervision.
In total, Agent Farra’s investigations during 2015 resulted in a total of 166 felony arrests - well above the unit average. Despite consistently managing a heavy case load, all of Agent Farra’s investigations are thorough and include the utmost attention to detail.
This type of work ethic and productivity has been typical of Agent Farra for each of the ten years she’s been assigned to the Drug Diversion Unit. Her investigative skills and dedication to the mission are outstanding!
Ever the consummate professional, Agent Farra consistently goes above and beyond her assigned duties while serving as an example of excellence and upholding the high standards of the Division and the Drug Diversion Unit. Her gregarious nature has resulted in her fostering many professional relationships with hospital, pharmacy, and law enforcement agency employees throughout the region. She’s highly regarded by her law enforcement peers, including those in the DEA, and is frequently specifically called upon to assist them with investigations.
Picture #2 from left to right: Lt. Colonel Monroe Hudson, Governor Jack Markell, Agent Donna Farra- Civilian Employee of the Year, Colonel Nathaniel McQueen, Jr., Secretary James N. Mosley.
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