Former Undersheriff Clair Van Haneghem passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2014 at the Wayne County Nursing Home. He was 89 years old. 

Undersheriff VanHaneghem started with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office on May 1, 1953, having been appointed by Sheriff Earl G. Keckison as a deputy Sheriff. He later served as Undersheriff for five Sheriffs (Sheriffs Burns, Hurley, Kise, Byork and Pisciotti) during his 34 year career with the Sheriff's Office. Undersheriff Van Haneghem retired on January 4, 1987.

Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts said "Our Sheriff's Office progressed to the professional law enforcement agency it is today from the leadership Undersheriff Van Haneghem instilled in many of the deputies he guided throughout his outstanding career."

Image left: This story reporting the late Undersheriff Van Haneghem's appointment as Undersheriff appeared in the June 18, 1964 edition of The Geneva Times. Click here to see the full page from The Geneva Times for that day.

John F. Copeland, right, captain of the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office Mounted Unit, patrols at Buffalo Hill during the yearly Jam in the Valley event.

John F. Copeland, captain of the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office Mounted Unit, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the North American Police Equestrian Council (NAPEC). The board consists of nine members from around the US and Canada. The Wyoming County Sheriff's Office Mounted Unit has participated in the NAPEC events (Championship) since 2004. This election speaks to the professionalism of the unit. "To have an internationally recognized Mounted Unit here in Wyoming County is an asset to this office and Wyoming County." said Sheriff Greg Rudolph.

The Wyoming County Sheriff's Office Mounted Unit is an all volunteer non-for-profit corporation formed in 1973 by Sheriff Allen Capwell to render assistance to the Sheriff's Office or other public officials or entities. It relies on its membership, fundraising and donations to support its operations. 

We have to say job well done to Captain Copeland,

Deputy John Morgan and partner, Twister, (foreground) on a Mounted Patrol detail in the Village of Geneseo in December 2014. The detail consisted of crime prevention and community policing with the public.

"Thank you Deputy Morgan for sharing Twister with us and our deepest condolences on your loss," said Sheriff Dougherty.  "Our thanks to Twister for his service to the Sheriff's Office and his service to the communities we serve. He will certainly be missed." We also extend our condolences to Deputy Morgan for your loss.