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File 25
News of the NYS Sheriffs' Association
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Niagara County Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Tortorella Receives Presidential Medal of Valor
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Niagara County Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Tortorella receives Presidential Medal of Valor from President Obama last week.
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All 13 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Valor pose with
President
Obama and Attorney General ... in the Blue Room at the White House last week.
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Niagara County Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Tortorella receives Presidential Medal of Valor from President Obama last week.
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Niagara County Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Tortorella receiving NYS Deputy Sheriff of the Year at the NYSSA Winter Conference in January. (l to r: Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike, Deputy Tortorella, Niagara County Sheriff James Voutour, and Sheriff Gary Maha.
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Niagara County Sheriff's Office Deputy Joseph Tortorella was one of 13 law enforcement officers receiving the Presidential Medal of Valor at the White House last week. The medal is conferred upon officers who have exhibited exceptional courage, regardless of personal safety, in an attempt to protect human life.
Deputy Tortorella was honored for his actions on April 17, 2015 when he confronted and subdued a violent gunman who had shot and wounded his own parents inside their home in Wheatfield, NY, and by doing so prevented the gunman from threatening the safety of students in a nearby elementary school (where Deputy Tortorella's wife was a teacher, and where his son and daughter were students).
Deputy Tortorella took a round in the chest, which was deflected by his bullet proof vest, when he stood between the shooter, Duane A. Bores Jr., 25, and the nearby Errick Road Elementary School, while alerting the school to lock down. 15 rounds were exchanged in the gun battle between Tortorella and Bores, before Bores retreated into his home and killed himself.
According to Niagara County Sheriff James Voutour, who was also on hand for the ceremony, the President met with each of the recipients and their families prior to the ceremony.
Depty Tortorella has also received several local and state awards, including being named New York State Deputy Sheriff of the Year at the NYSSA Winter Training Confernce in January. Congratuations Deputy Tortorella; an honor well deserved! Please click here for a video of the Medal of Valor Ceremony.
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New York State Police Memorial Ceremony
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Hundreds of people gathered at the New York State Police Memorial on the Empire State Plaza in Albany to honor the 1,413 police officers killed in the line of duty in New York, whose names are inscribed on the Memorial Wall, including 4 Sheriffs, 4 Undersheriffs and 47 Deputy Sheriffs, including 2 Sergeants and 1 Lieutenant. The names of 26 officers were newly inscribed this year, none of them being from Sheriffs’ Offices. Four were officers killed in 2015 in the line of duty; 3 were “historical submissions” of officers killed in prior years and not previously recognized on the wall; and 19 were officers who died as a result of service at the World Trade Center and Freshkills sites in New York City in the aftermath of the 9/11/01 attacks; 17 with the NYPD, one with the Yonkers Police Department, one with the NYS Police and one with the US Marshals Service.
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Photo: Sullivan County Undersheriff Eric Chaboty and NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe, member of the Police Officer Memorial Advisory Committee, greet Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who spoke on behalf of Governor Cuomo Memorial Ceremony.
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Photo: Among the distinguished guests at the Police Officer Memorial Ceremony in Albany was State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. The Comptroller is very well respected by police organizations in New York, and he expressed his gratitude at having the opportunity to join in officially honoring New York’s fallen officers.
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Photo (l to r): Bill Paquette; Jeff Haidinger; Sheriff Chris Farber, NYSSA president; Sheriff Gary Maha, NYSSA Executive Committee chair; Commissioner Cheverko; Charles Gallo; Superintendent Harling; Sheriff Barry Virts; Thomas Mitchell, Esq.
Our Association’s Inmate Phone Service Committee met in Albany last week with Jeff Haidinger, President of GTL, and GTL representatives Tony Pellegrino and Bill Paquette to discuss possible ways for GTL to implement the portions of the FCC’s “inmate calling services” Order which remain in effect after a judicial stay of other portions of the Order, in a way that would be compatible with the existing contracts between GTL and most of the jails in New York. The Committee benefitted greatly from contributions to the discussion by Jail Superintendent Ron Harling of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Commissioner Kevin Cheverko of the Westchester County Department of Corrections. It was agreed that it is a difficult position for everyone and no final decisions were reached. NYSSA will provide GTL with additional data and GTL will present a proposal prior to the June 20 effective date of the FCC Order.
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Photo: Franklin County Sheriff Kevin Mulverhill to run for 115th New York State Assembly Seat
Franklin County Sheriff Kevin Mulverhill announced last week that he will run for state assembly. "I am seeking the 115th New York State Assembly seat currently held by Assemblywoman Janet Duprey,” Mulverhill said Monday in a news release. Incumbent Assemblywoman Janet Duprey (R-Peru) announced her retirement last week.
Sheriff Mulverhill, who will run as a Republican, cited job creation, the development of a “welfare to work” program, infrastructure development and tourism promotion as chief priorities. Sheriff Mulverhill served as sergeant with the state police for 23 years and was elected Franklin County Sheriff in 2010.
His opponent is Democrat D. Billy Jones, also of Franklin County. Mr. Jones, a correction officer and chairman of the Franklin County Legislature, has been unanimously endorsed by the Franklin County Democratic Committee.
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Wayne County Undersheriff Richard House Appointed CountyAdministrator
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Wayne County Undersheriff Richard House has been the Interim Wayne County Administrator since September 2015. Last week, the Wayne County Board of Supervisors unanimously appointed Mr. House to the position of Wayne County Administrator for the current term.
The board’s unanimous choice for administrator, Mr. House served for 35 years with the sheriff’s office. He said he’ll miss working in the sheriff’s office, where he started in the Corrections Division more than three decades ago, moving up the ranks to among other titles, road patrol sergeant, detective, chief deputy and finally undersheriff.
“Rick and I have been colleagues for 35 years, [and] I have always found him to be professional, respectful and accountable for his actions and the subordinates he was responsible for," Sheriff Virts said. Congratulations to Mr. House!
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Thanks to our Diamond Partners:
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New York State Sheriffs' Association | 518-434-9091 | www.nysheriffs.org
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