MICHAEL GARBO EXCELLENCE AWARD
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DEA Group Supervisor Michael Garbo was a long-time member and frequent instructor for the Arizona Narcotic Officers Association. Michael tragically lost his life on October 4, 2021, in Tucson AZ., protecting his community.
Michael was a big part of ANOA and was a highly sought-after instructor especially on train/shuttle and bus interdiction training. In honor of him and his legacy, the Arizona Narcotic Officers Association and the Michael Garbo Foundation is proud to present the “Michael Garbo Excellence Award” to one of our members each year at our annual training conference. This award will be voted on by the ANOA Regional Representatives and the nominees for this award will be selected from all the award nominees submitted for Narcotic Officer of the Year, Patrol Officer of the Year, Intelligence Analyst of the Year, K9 Officer of the Year, and Prosecutor of the Year. Out of all these award nominees, the person who best represents the life and legacy of Michael Garbo and his commitment to protecting the community from the crime and dangers of drugs will be awarded the Michael Garbo Excellence Award.
ANOA Plaque Presented by the Garbo Family In Memory Of DEA GS Michael Garbo
The 35th Annual ANOA Training Conference was convened on July 17, 2023, in Scottsdale, AZ.
Before commencing the award presentation, Mrs. Garbo expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the board members of ANOA for their unwavering support and dedication to the Michael Garbo Excellence Award.
In addition to presenting the award, Vida, Alexis, and the Michael Garbo Foundation are deeply honored to present ANOA with a commemorative plaque in memory of DEA Special Agent Michael Garbo. This plaque stands as a lasting testament to Michael's exceptional contributions and his unwavering commitment to excellence within the field of law enforcement.
Mrs. Garbo extended her sincere appreciation to President Jeremy Butcher and Executive Director Phil Hawk for their continuous support and invaluable guidance. Furthermore, our deepest thanks go out to all those who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Michael Garbo Excellence Award. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Michael Garbo Excellence Award 2023
Mrs. Garbo felt deeply honored to address the attendees of the ANOA conference, surrounded by the distinguished members of ANOA, as she prepared to present the highly prestigious Michael Garbo Excellence Award. Before proceeding, she relayed a message from her daughter Alexis, conveying her heartfelt congratulations to all the well-deserving recipients and the exceptional awardee.
Receiving an award is a significant moment, signifying recognition of exceptional achievements and the embodiment of remarkable qualities. The Michael Garbo Excellence Award holds tremendous significance. It bears the name of an extraordinary individual who was not only an exceptional husband and father but also a true legend in his field. Michael Garbo's love for his work radiated through his unwavering dedication and passion.
The Michael Garbo Foundation and ANOA collaborated to establish this award in honor of a person who epitomized outstanding qualities such as leadership, knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Michael Garbo was not just the best at what he did; he also understood the power of teamwork and never sought personal credit for his achievements. He believed in a team's collective efforts and valued each individual's contributions. Throughout his 30-year career in law enforcement, he formed lifelong friendships. But most importantly, he remains and will always remain their hero who will never be forgotten.
The chosen nominee for the Michael Garbo Excellence Award embodies the essence of this prestigious recognition. Alongside their ANOA members, the nominee's accomplishments are impressive. What stood outmost when learning about this individual is their unwavering commitment to their squad and the task force. Despite their challenges, they remained dedicated and fulfilled their obligations with utmost loyalty. Their traits resonate with those of Michael—exceptional skills, unwavering loyalty, dedication, an exemplary work ethic, and an unwavering determination to accomplish any given task. This Task Force Officer/Detective has shown tremendous commitment, willingly working long days and nights in pursuit of their duties.
We are honored to present Detective Travis Deskins with the Michael Garbo Excellence Award due to his:
● Outstanding Performance
● Remarkable Case Record
● Combating Narcotics Trafficking
● Collaborative Efforts
● International Investigation Leadership
● Positive Influence and Dedication
These highlights illustrate Detective Travis Deskins’ outstanding performance, significant contributions in combating drug trafficking, leadership in international investigations, and positive impact within the law enforcement community, making him a highly deserving recipient of the Michael Garbo Award for Excellence. Mrs. Garbo extended her heartfelt gratitude to all in attendance for joining on this momentous occasion. May this day serve as a testament to the power of excellence, dedication, and the unwavering pursuit of justice.
Michael Garbo Excellence Award 2024
Mrs. Garbo and Alexis were honored to join ANOA in presenting the 2024 Michael Garbo Excellence Award. They congratulated all the recipients, especially this year’s remarkable honoree, Detective Toni Nikolic of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
This award, named after DEA Group Supervisor Michael Garbo, recognizes outstanding achievements in law enforcement and combating drug trafficking in Arizona. Michael was an exceptional husband, father, and a legend in his field. His unwavering dedication and passion for his work left a lasting impact. The Michael Garbo Foundation and ANOA established this award to honor individuals who embody leadership, expertise, and a commitment to excellence—traits Michael held dear throughout his 30-year career in law enforcement. He valued teamwork, avoided seeking personal credit, and formed lifelong friendships along the way. Michael remains our hero, forever remembered.
Detective Toni Nikolic was chosen as this year’s recipient for exemplifying what this award represents. What stood out most was his tenacity and drive in dismantling a drug trafficking organization in Maricopa County. Despite being new to the Maricopa County Drug Suppression Task Force, he rapidly advanced, dedicating significant time to his training and launching critical investigations within months—an achievement that typically takes others a year to accomplish. Detective Nikolic displayed outstanding investigative skills, especially in high-risk operations, significantly contributing to the task force’s success.
Despite facing challenges, Detective Nikolic remained dedicated, going above and beyond by volunteering for additional patrol duties and assisting his colleagues with his expertise. His openness to feedback and his collaborative spirit highlight his exceptional character and professionalism.
Key reasons why Detective Nikolic was selected for this award include:
● Successfully dismantled a major drug trafficking organization in the Phoenix area, seizing narcotics and substantial assets, including over
● Conducting high-risk undercover operations via social media.
● Authored numerous legal documents, including search warrants, and prepared timely reports and arrest submittals.
● Leading multi-agency operations, coordinating complex surveillance efforts while ensuring safety and efficiency.
● Demonstrating commitment by volunteering for DEA Clan lab training, supporting ongoing investigations, and maintaining a collaborative attitude.
These accomplishments, along with his unwavering dedication, make Detective Nikolic a highly deserving recipient of the Michael Garbo Excellence Award. As Mrs. Garbo and Alexis presented this award, we reflected on Michael Garbo’s remarkable legacy and honored Detective Toni Nikolic for his outstanding contributions and commitment to making a difference.
The Garbo family extended their heartfelt gratitude to all the participants for attending this year’s conference, concluding with these words: “May today stand as a testament to the power of excellence, dedication, and the pursuit of justice.”
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