David Zoccola Named Investigator of the Year for 2004
Sex Crimes Detective David Zoccola was today named the Metropolitan Police Department’s Investigator of the Year for 2004.
Zoccola, 49, a 26-year police department veteran, received the award for his meticulous investigative work that led to the September arrest of Jeremy Paul Duffer, a part-time Hermitage game store employee, for having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old boy.
By working closely with the victim and his mother, Zoccola ascertained that the abuse had occurred repeatedly over a period of 18 months to two years. During a lengthy interview with Duffer on the night of his arrest, Zoccola was able to elicit a detailed confession.
“Child sex abuse cases are among the most difficult for a police officer to work because each one of them pulls at the heartstrings,”Chief Ronal Serpas said. “David Zoccola has dedicated himself to working with child victims and their families for a number of years, and I am extremely proud of his dedication and tremendous devotion to this community.”
Chief Ronal Serpas, left, presents the 2004
Investigator
of the Year award
to Detective David Zoccola.