May 9, 2006
Brandon Haught
Public Information Office

VOLUSIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE HONORS EMPLOYEES OF THE QUARTER

Crime suppression efforts in Deltona have gotten a big boost from a pair of deputies who were among a foursome that was honored this week as the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office’s top employees of the quarter. The awards were presented to an undercover deputy, an investigator, a telecommunicator and an agency volunteer at the Deputy Stephen Saboda Training Center in Daytona Beach. "It’s people like the four of you who make the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office such a great organization," Sheriff Ben Johnson said during Tuesday’s ceremony.

Deputy of the quarter honors went to deputy Anthony Crane, who works in a plainclothes capacity suppressing criminal activity in Deltona. And it’s an assignment in which Crane has excelled. During a recent period, Crane solved nine criminal mischief complaints as well as a fraud case, arrested two suspected drug traffickers and helped capture two fugitives who had been eluding authorities. Crane also serves on the Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and a special unit that investigates traffic fatalities and stepped into the Anti-Crime Unit’s senior role during a recent transition in supervision. "You do a great job knocking down crime," Sheriff Johnson told Crane. "You’ve really made a difference."

Investigator of the Quarter honors went to investigator Goolcharan Laloo, better known as "Gooch" to his co-workers. Like Crane, Laloo works out of the Sheriff’s Office’s Deltona headquarters, where he has earned a reputation for going the extra mile and working long hours to tackle difficult and complex cases. Laloo specializes in property crimes and has been instrumental in the recovery of more than $125,000 worth of stolen goods in the past two years. One case alone resulted in the issuance of 12 arrest warrants. "You’re a very respected investigator," Sheriff Johnson said. "We appreciate everything you do for the citizens of Deltona."

Telecommunicator Todd Sennholtz was named Civilian Employee of the Quarter, in part due to the great patience and dedication he exhibits while working in the demanding environment of the radio room dispatching officers to calls for service. Co-workers and supervisors alike say Sennholtz routinely goes above and beyond what’s expected to keep the Communications Center running smoothly. "It’s a very tough job, and you do it very well," said Sheriff Johnson.

Volunteer of the Quarter Johana Knox has the unique distinction of also having been named the department’s top civilian employee of the year in 1993 when she was a paid employee. Knox stepped down from her paid position in 1997, but never discontinued her volunteer efforts. Knox volunteers with a variety of community organizations and helps collect food and clothing donations for the needy. She also volunteers with the West Volusia Police Athletic League, helps plan and coordinate the Sheriff’s Office’s annual community Easter Egg Hunt in DeLand and works with the agency’s non-profit 100 Deputies/100 Kids program that organizes an annual holiday party for hundreds of underprivileged children each year. "Johana is absolutely everywhere," said Sheriff Johnson. "I’ve never seen a better and more dedicated volunteer."