Members of the Sussex County Sheriff's Office honored for service

Sheriff Michael F. Strada recently recognized and awarded several members of the Sheriff’s Office with honors for their respective service. On April 9, during a ceremony at the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Strada presented each of the following personnel with the Sheriff’s Achievement Award.

Detective Michael Yanko and Sheriff’s Officer Richard Otte were each presented with the Sheriff’s Achievement Award for their actions in assisting the Pennsylvania State Police during an investigation involving the murder of an infant girl in 2012.

Detective Yanko and Sheriff’s Officer Otte’s assistance proved vital to that investigation, ultimately culminating in the successful arrest and prosecution of the victim’s assailants. Detective Yanko was assigned to the Sheriff’s Detective Bureau between 1999 and 2012. During that time, Detective Yanko was instrumental in the arrests of approximately 9,360 wanted persons. Detective Yanko is currently assigned to the Sheriff’s Home Detention program.

Sheriff’s Officer Otte was also assigned to the Sheriff’s Detective Bureau from 2009 to 2012. During that time, he was instrumental in the arrests of approximately 1,797 wanted persons. Sheriff’s Officer Otte is currently assigned to the Courts and Transportation Unit.

Detective Lieutenant Mitchell Ellicott was awarded the Sheriff’s Achievement Award in recognition of his 22 years of service and his continued commitment to the Sheriff’s K-9 Unit. A member of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office since 1989 and a K-9 Handler for approximately 20 years, Lt. Ellicott has handled six dogs and responded to more than 800 requests for K-9 assistance from other law enforcement agencies throughout his career. Lt. Ellicott currently serves as the supervisor of the Sheriff’s Emergency Services Unit.

Sheriff’s Corporal Dan Storey was awarded the Sheriff’s Achievement Award for his 23 years of service and his continued commitment to the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program. Cpl. Storey has been a certified DARE Instructor for 20 years and during that time has taught the D.A.R.E. program at several schools throughout Sussex County. During the past 20 years, more than 6,000 Sussex County children have been taught the D.A.R.E. program by Cpl. Storey.