Thoma Toslluku, born in Berat, Albania, exemplifies how perseverance and determination can turn dreams into reality. Today, he serves as a Sergeant in the Violent Crimes Unit at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) in Florida, a position he describes as his most rewarding achievement yet.

Thoma’s journey began in 2001 when his family made the life-changing decision to leave Albania for the United States, seeking peace and a better future after the challenges of living under communism. “I see people playing lotto and think to myself: I already hit the jackpot by coming to this country” Thoma said.

The Toslluku family initially settled in New Hampshire but quickly moved to Naples, Florida, due to the harsh winters up north. At just 13 years old, Thoma faced the daunting task of adapting to a new culture and language. Within months, he not only mastered English but also discovered a passion for American football—a sport he had never played in Albania.

After graduating from Naples High School in 2006, Thoma pursued a degree in Criminal Justice at Edison College, driven by a lifelong ambition to work in law enforcement. His college football aspirations took him to the University of Charleston in West Virginia, but a shoulder injury altered his path. Despite setbacks, Thoma stayed focused on his goals.

By 2013, Thoma had funded his way through the law enforcement academy and joined the LCSO. Starting on road patrol, he quickly rose through the ranks, earning promotions to Detective in 2018 and later to Sergeant in 2022. His work in the Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) has been a career highlight, investigating high-priority cases and supporting victims of serious crimes.

“It’s a fast-paced environment investigating all types of different high-priority crimes. It’s very rewarding when investigations lead to arrests and prosecutions—not just for us as law enforcement but for the victims” he shared.

Today, as a supervisor in VCU, Thoma leverages advanced tools like the Real Time Intelligence Center to assist his team in solving complex cases. “All of the technological advances the agency has made under Sheriff Carmine Marceno have made us better in every way” he said.

Outside of work, Thoma enjoys life in Bonita Springs with his wife and two-year-old son. He balances his professional life with family time, fitness, and listening to Joe Rogan’s podcast.