The Dover Police Department has made history by selecting Corporal Heather Seibert as its 2025 Officer of the Year, marking the first time a woman has received this distinction in the agency’s 101-year existence.
Additionally, Animal Control Officer Caitlyn Smith earned the 2025 Civilian of the Year award, creating another milestone as both top honors went to women for the first time in department history.
These awards highlight not just a groundbreaking moment, but also recognize the significant contributions both women have made to the Dover community.
Corporal Heather Seibert – Officer of the Year
Throughout the department’s century-plus history, Dover Police has annually honored its most outstanding officer. In 2025, that recognition goes to Corporal Heather Seibert—a law enforcement professional whose dedication, investigative skills, and thorough approach have distinguished her among colleagues.
Joining Dover Police in 2019, Seibert has earned a reputation among fellow officers as “the officer with the answers,” built through her meticulous attention to detail, eagerness to tackle any assignment, and determination to see cases through to completion.
During her dual role as patrol officer and primary shift investigator, Seibert managed an extraordinary caseload in 2025’s second quarter—answering roughly 400 service calls, completing over 80 reports, and investigating more than a dozen vehicle crashes within just three months.
Several cases from that period demonstrate her exceptional impact:
April 7, 2025 – Gunfire Investigation:
Corporal Seibert answered a 911 call about a vehicle hit by gunfire. She located bullet damage on the car and during her investigation, linked it to a second victim with a similar report. Her quick intelligence gathering and coordination with detectives resulted in a suspect’s arrest and the recovery of two weapons.
April 21, 2025 – Hit-and-Run Crash with Injuries:
Corporal Seibert investigated a hit-and-run that injured two pedestrians. Using witness descriptions of the suspect and vehicle, she searched the area for video evidence and identified the fleeing car through surveillance footage, leading to an arrest and felony charges.
May 1, 2025 – Pedestrian Injury Case:
Corporal Seibert responded to another vehicle-pedestrian crash involving serious injuries. Despite challenges obtaining information from those involved, including the victim, she canvassed nearby homes for witnesses and surveillance video. Her persistence uncovered critical evidence that led to the suspect’s arrest.
May 25, 2025 – Child Abuse Case:
On May 25, 2025, Corporal Seibert responded after a child fled to a neighbor’s house to escape abuse. She conducted a thorough yet sensitive investigation, documented the child’s injuries, and identified the mother as the perpetrator. After consulting with investigators and prosecutors, she arrested the suspect on child abuse charges and ensured the child was safely removed from the home.
Corporal Seibert’s exceptional work during the second quarter earned her Officer of the Quarter recognition and ultimately Officer of the Year. She was promoted to Detective in the Criminal Investigations Unit in January 2026.
Reflecting on her career and historic recognition, Corporal Seibert shared her thoughts:
What attracted you to law enforcement and Dover Police specifically?
“I’ve been watching crime TV shows and helping my dad catch thieves in his convenience store since a young age. I’ve always loved righting wrongs and standing up for the little guy. Choosing Dover PD was really just luck. I happened to be moving to the area when I was starting my career and it was really the only department I ever looked at and never looked back.
Can you describe a particularly meaningful case you’ve handled?
“It wasn’t one moment as much as a reaffirmation of why the work I do is important. In a domestic violence case, I later saw the victim again months later. She told me that our interaction was the push she needed to leave the relationship and that she and her kids were now thriving. We don’t usually get to see the positive outcomes, so it was great to see that my work contributed to helping a family long term.”
What does community service mean to you daily?
“Serving the community looks different every day, but for me it means showing up and doing the job the right way regardless of the circumstances.”
Who has most influenced your career?
“My husband and mom have been my biggest personal supporters. Professionally, Lt. Jeffrey Gott and Sgt. Nathanial Warren were instrumental early on—they helped shape me as an officer and pushed me to stay motivated and keep working toward my goals, even during difficult times.”
What motivates your thorough approach to casework?
“I honestly just love to know the answer to the puzzle and make sure there are no loose ends. Those details can make or break a case and shed a lot of light on the big picture.”
What advice would you offer young women considering law enforcement?
“Take the time to fully understand what this career demands. Law enforcement isn’t just a job—it’s a lifestyle that affects every part of your life. If it’s something you truly want, start preparing now—both physically and mentally. Build resilience, discipline, and confidence. And don’t be discouraged by challenges or expectations—there is absolutely a place for you in this field.”
What does being the first female Officer of the Year mean to you?
“I’m honored to represent the women in law enforcement who contribute to this profession every day. Our academy motto was ‘exceed the standard, raise the bar,’ and I hope this shows that I’m just the first of many and encourages others to continue raising that bar.”
How do you relax when off duty?
“My favorite way to recharge is to travel and see the world. But I can’t do that every weekend, so I usually hit a yoga class and watch tv with a cup of tea and a bowl of ice cream.
Animal Control Officer Caitlyn Smith – Civilian of the Year
In just over one year with Dover Police, Animal Control Officer Caitlyn Smith has proven herself as a highly effective, reliable, and caring team member—earning Civilian of the Year through both her work volume and case impact. Smith has quickly taken on significant responsibilities that demonstrate both departmental confidence and her strong dedication to the position.
In 2025’s fourth quarter alone, ACO Smith handled 114 complaints, serving as lead officer on 103 of those calls. During this period, she issued numerous warnings and enforcement actions, conducted investigations that resulted in an arrest, and obtained a warrant involving seven animal-related charges.
ACO Smith’s fourth-quarter achievements earned her Civilian of the Quarter recognition and ultimately Civilian of the Year.
ACO Smith’s duties frequently place her in challenging and sometimes disturbing situations—but also position her to create immediate, meaningful change.
On November 25, 2025, ACO Smith investigated an animal neglect complaint at a South New Street apartment. She found three dogs and four cats in severely undernourished condition, with visible ribs and hips, living in an apartment covered with urine and feces. While working to secure a search warrant, the owner fled with one dog. Despite this setback, ACO Smith worked largely independently to coordinate with the Office of Animal Welfare and City Code Enforcement to rescue six animals and help condemn the residence, removing them from dangerous conditions.
On December 23, 2025, ACO Smith responded to reports of a dead dog inside a North Kirkwood Street home. Her investigation revealed the animal had starved to death while confined in a waste-filled crate. She filed charges against the responsible person and, in the same case, persuaded the owner to surrender a second dog—personally driving it to Brandywine Valley SPCA to give it a chance at a better life.
Beyond her primary duties, ACO Smith showed initiative by helping the Parking Enforcement Unit during staffing shortages. She voluntarily modified her schedule—often arriving early—to support major community events, including parades and city functions.
Despite the challenging nature of her work, ACO Smith approaches her role with a clear philosophy focused on both enforcement and education:
“I have always had a love for animals, and this is a great position to educate owners and the public on the proper laws on owning animals.”
She stresses a balanced field approach:
“I evaluate each situation on a case-by-case basis and determine if education or law enforcement is appropriate.”
For ACO Smith, satisfaction comes from positive outcomes, even in the most difficult cases:
“I enjoy the variety of work that I do daily, and even the challenging moments can be rewarding when the animal is in a safe place.”
She described the recognition as both humbling and inspiring:
“It’s an honor and a shock to be recognized by my peers in such a high regard, and I hope to maintain the expectations of such an award.”
Her work demonstrates dedication not only to enforcing animal welfare laws, but to improving conditions for both animals and the broader community—often in situations where quick action makes all the difference.
The recognition of Corporal Seibert and ACO Smith represents a pivotal moment in Dover Police Department’s 101-year history. While their roles differ, both have shown unwavering dedication to service, accountability, and performing their duties with integrity and compassion.
Their work embodies the department’s core values and demonstrates the impact committed professionals can have across all aspects of public safety. Together, their service represents the standard Dover Police Department works to deliver daily.
Chief Thomas Johnson, Jr. commended both recipients, saying: “Caitlyn and Heather are highly professional, get-things-done members of our organization. In each situation they address, their empathy and compassion is clearly visible while they hold individuals accountable for their behavior. They serve the interests of justice as they champion the needs of our victims, and society as a whole. We have 150 or so stellar employees in the Dover Police Department. Dozens were nominated for their outstanding performance in 2025. ACO Smith and Corporal Seibert clearly distinguished themselves above all others and earned this annual recognition through quiet excellence. The Dover PD is happy to announce that excellence loudly and proudly. Congratulations to both of them.”
