Year Honored: 2024

Biography:

A lifelong Delawarean and a 32-year veteran of the Delaware State Police (DSP), Colonel Melissa A. Zebley found her calling of service after attending a State Police Explorer program at St. Marks High School. Selected for the 61st Delaware State Police Academy class in 1992, Colonel Zebley began her service in a variety of assignments, including patrol Trooper, Training Academy Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Director of Public Information, Fiscal Executive Officer, and Troop Commander.

Rising to the rank of Major in 2010, she was selected to join the DSP Executive Staff as an Administrative Officer, where she managed the budget, training academy, and human resource sections. In 2013, she transitioned to Operations Officer, with oversight of New Castle County Patrol Troops, Criminal Investigations, and the statewide Traffic Section. Her ascent continued in 2019 when she became the first woman to lead the Internal Affairs, Information Technology, and Office of Strategic Development divisions as the Deputy Superintendent of the Delaware State Police. In July 2020, Colonel Zebley made history as the first woman to become the 26th Superintendent of DSP. As Chief Executive Officer, she leads Delaware’s largest enforcement agency, managing over 700 sworn troopers and 300 professional staff.