The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office announces with pride that 1st Sgt., Robert J. Grella is the recipient of the Virginia Sheriff’s Association’s 2015 Deputy of the Year Award. This award was presented to 1st Sgt. Grella on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at the annual Virginia Sheriff’s Association’s Fall Conference. 1st Sgt. Grella, who has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 2001, exemplifies the core values of the Stafford Sheriff’s Office and his daily work personifies the Sheriff’s Office motto, “Committed to Excellence”.

1st Sgt. Grella is currently the supervisor of the Special Problems Unit and has spearheaded investigations into prostitution and human trafficking. Several cases have led to the arrest of those who have been transporting innocent females up and down the east coast. Several of these investigations have become federal cases that have resulted in one life sentence, a twenty-five year sentence and an eighteen year sentence. If not for the work of 1st Sgt. Grella these criminals would still be victimizing women and in some cases children.

He has created a program that teaches hotel staff the signs of prostitution within their business. He currently goes around to all the hotels within Stafford County teaching hotel staff, managers and owners. His efforts have led to multiple tips and initiated 48 investigations into possible human trafficking.