The Apopka Police Department added two new officers to its police force on Monday, December 18. The officers took an oath to serve and protect when they were sworn-in at Apopka City Hall by Apopka Police Chief Michael McKinley.
As a tradition, each new officer selected family members to pin their police badges to their uniforms.
Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson, Apopka Commissioner Nick Nesta, and Apopka Commissioner Diane Velazquez welcomed the new officers and gave them encouraging words.
Shelby Smith
Officer Shelby Smith, 33, was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She graduated from Cornerstone Christian School in 2009. Smith attended her police academy training at Lake Tech Community College, where she graduated last month.
Officer Smith never served in the military; however, she is a military spouse to her husband Chris, who retired from the U.S. Air Force. The couple have six children and one grandson.
Officer Smith’s hobbies include fishing, working out, going to the beach, shopping, kayaking, biking, painting, and spending time with family and friends.
“There are several reasons why I got into law enforcement,” Officer Smith said. “I’ve always had a passion for protecting and serving the people I care about and I want to extend that to my community. The world we are living in now isn’t the same as it used to be. I want to be highly trained and equipped to be able to help others in the time of need.
“I can remember the exact moment I knew I wanted to be in law enforcement. I was in the ninth grade and my school had an anti-human trafficking seminar and in that moment, I knew exactly what God’s calling was for my life. Unfortunately, when I graduated high school my career plans got derailed and I started a family. My family became my priority and my dream career took a backseat. I’m thrilled to finally start this career, and I’m hoping one day to be a part of the Special Victims Unit or an Anti-Human Trafficking Unit.”
Giovanni ‘Gio’ Dellgrottaglia
Officer Giovanni “Gio” Dellgrottaglia, 22, was born in Albany, N.Y. He was raised in Eustis, where he graduated from Eustis High School in 2020.
Officer Dellgrottaglia is currently serving in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves at the Fourth Amphibious Assault Battalion located in Tampa. He has been a U.S. Marine for three years and plans to continue to serve in the reserves.
Officer Dellgrottaglia’s police academy training was at Lake Tech Community College where he graduated in 2022. Giovanni was employed with the Orlando Police Department for approximately one year before he came to work for the Apopka Police Department.
Giovanni’s hobbies include running, lifting weights, and recreational shooting of firearms.
“I truly enjoy helping people and I want to make a positive impact on people’s lives and the community,” Dellgrottaglia said. “I joined the Marine Corps to give me a better skill set to help and defend the people I am sworn to serve.”
The Apopka Chief and The Planter are weekly community newspapers, independently owned and family operated, that have served the greater Apopka area in Central Florida since 1923 and 1965 respectively.
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