Thank You, Sheriffs . . . |
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This year, a larger-than-usual group of Sheriffs rode off from their Offices for the last time – not into the sunset, but striking onto new paths after having faithfully served in law enforcement for their communities. All told, their combined work experience represents nearly 200 years of service. Following is a brief look at some of the Sheriffs before they left office, through photos and links to related news items covering their departures. |
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Allegany County Sheriff Rick Whitney was honored with a retirement party in Belmont, NY that reviewed the Sheriff’s nearly half-century pf work in law enforcement, serving three terms as Sheriff since 2011. Above (l – r), Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard, Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike, Sheriff Whitney and New York State Sheriffs’ Association (NYSSA) Executive Director Peter Kehoe show off one of the gifts received by Sheriff Whitney that evening – a commemorative plaque denoting his Life Membership in the NYSSA.
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Colleen O’Neill has the distinction of being the first elected woman Sheriff not only in Jefferson County, but in New York State.
The daughter of Jefferson County Sheriff Alfred P. O’Neill, who served in the Office from 1977 to 1985, Colleen served 28 years with the New York State Police and the last seven years as County Sheriff.
“Serving as Jefferson County Sheriff has been an honor, a privilege and a dream come true,” the Sheriff noted recently. “I could not have imagined this journey without the guidance and support of the New York State Sheriffs' Association . . ., its members and all of the other Sheriffs. I could never have wished for or imagined that level of support. It is a family I am so honored and grateful to be part of. God bless you all and please stay safe!”
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Sheriff Conway retired after 45 years serving communities in Onondaga County. He won the Sheriff’s election in 2014 and served for two terms.
Conway says he has enjoyed his career, noting he finds it both rewarding and challenging.
“It’s always something new every single day,” Conway said. “But it gives you a chance obviously to help people, which is what this is really all about, this profession.”
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The 45th Orange County Sheriff, Carl E. DuBois, became the longest-serving Sheriff in the history of Orange County and was the third-longest-serving Sheriff in the state. He retired 20 years after he was first elected Sheriff. Prior to his retirement, Sheriff DuBois stopped by the New York State Sheriffs’ Association offices in Albany to say farewell to Association staff (l – r) Christine Richards, Charles Gallo, Peter Kehoe, Sheriff DuBois, Chris O’Brien and Tom Mitchell.
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. . . and Welcome, Sheriffs |
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New Sheriffs elected or appointed to their posts hit the ground running at NYSSA’s annual New Sheriff Seminar held in early December. |
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With a larger-than-normal incoming group (note screen shot of roster above), the seminar moved from NYSSA headquarters to an area hotel, providing attendees with three days of training and orientation from speakers representing state agencies, traffic safety, corrections management and the Civil Process, along with personal insights from veteran Sheriffs. Information about the statutory duties of the Sheriff and the Association’s support services were also on the agenda. |
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Words to "Sheriff" by . . . |
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“Find the one thing that’s going to change your organization.”
Ulster County Sheriff and NYSSA Treasurer Juan Figueroa
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“Everything you do, you own. Be active, be passionate, be successful.”
Delaware County Sheriff and NYSSA Third Vice President Craig DuMond.
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Steven Nigrelli, New York State Police Acting Superintendent, shares his career experiences and support for strong and effective law enforcement. “If not us, who?” |
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Attendees took advantage of formal presentations as well as program breaks, where informal meetings and discussions occurred. |
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Onondaga County Sheriff's PIO Retires to Pursue Acting Career |
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Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer, Jon Seeber (pictured), is retiring after 27 years of service to pursue a new career path — acting.
“I am grateful for the opportunities I had along the way, especially serving as the Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson and Community Relations Supervisor, but most grateful for the connections that have turned into friendships,” said Seeber. “I will always be grateful for the opportunity I had to work with all of you and I couldn’t have asked for a greater community to serve.”
Seeber’s name is already enshrined on the International Movie Database, listing several roles he has performed since starting his second career in 2019.
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St. Lawrence, Seneca and Yates County Sheriffs Announce
End-of-Term Retirements
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Three Sheriffs have announced their retirements when their terms are over at the end of 2023.
St. Lawrence County Sheriff Brooks Bigwarfe, Seneca County Sheriff Timothy Luce and Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike have publicly stated their intent to step down from Office.
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St. Lawrence County Sheriff Brooks Bigwarfe |
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Sheriff Bigwarfe started his career at the Sheriff’s Office in 1987 and became Sheriff in 2020.
“This was not a decision made lightly as this profession has been my lifelong career, and it has been an honor to serve as Sheriff of St. Lawrence County and to oversee all divisions of the Sheriff’s Office,” Sheriff Bigwarfe noted in a prepared statement.
His retirement will cap a 36-year career serving in a variety of positions including Deputy, K9 officer, D.A.R.E. Instructor, and Undersheriff.
"It has been an honor to have served under three excellent Sheriffs before me: Sheriff Keith Knowlton as my original Sheriff starting in 1987, continuing with Sheriff Gary Jarvis, and then Sheriff Kevin Wells. These men, and many other comrades, have influenced me and helped to shape my career, and for this I am forever grateful."
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Seneca County Sheriff Timothy Luce |
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“I think we’ve accomplished a lot, although it’s been tough the last couple of years. It has taken a lot out of us,” said Sheriff Luce. “We just think it’s time (to retire).” By the end of this year, Luce will complete his second term as Sheriff.
John Cleere, who has served as Luce’s Undersheriff for the past seven years, will also retire in December 2023. Combined, Luce and Cleere’s work totals nearly 50 years of service to Seneca County.
“During our time, we started a lot of programs we are extremely proud of. It has been an honor and privilege for both of us to serve here,” Luce said. “We think we are leaving the Sheriff’s Office in a good position ... and would like to spend more time with our families.”
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Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike |
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After more than three decades as Yates County’s Sheriff, Ron Spike plans to end his long run in December 2023. He has been with the Sheriff’s Office for more than 50 years, serving as Sheriff for eight terms, making him the senior Sheriff in the State.
“As I enter the twilight of my career . . . I will not be seeking reelection as Sheriff,” he said. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Yates County as their Sheriff.”
Spike, whose father, George, was Yates County Sheriff from 1958 until his death in 1981, grew up in the Sheriff’s residence when it was attached to the old 1904 county jail in Penn Yan. The younger Spike was hired as a Deputy Sheriff under his father, promoted to detective in 1973 and elevated to Chief Deputy in 1982 under his father’s successor, Sheriff Jan Scofield. He began his first term as Sheriff in 1992.
“I have been a law enforcement officer with the sheriff’s office for 52 years now, with 31 years as the elected sheriff,” he said. “I am grateful for the opportunity I have had for public service and to lead an agency where the well-trained good men and women that work here past and present, 24/7, have been my best assets for providing public safety services. It has been a pleasure to work alongside such a talented team in the Sheriff’s Office and in County government.”
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Wayne and Ulster County Sheriffs Complete Prestigious Program |
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Wayne County Sheriff Robert Milby (left) and Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa (right) were among the recent graduates of the 2022 National Sheriffs’ Institute (NSI) Jail Administration course in Quantico, VA. Congratulations to both Sheriffs for completing the course.
The course is a newly developed curriculum designed to enhance the knowledge of Sheriffs regarding their responsibilities in leading the operations of a correctional facility and touches on a number of topics, including legal implications of operating a jail, critical aspects of jail operation, and jail improvement planning.
The National Sheriffs’ Institute is sponsored by the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) in collaboration with the Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and the National Association of Counties (NACo).
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Yates County Sheriff's Office Jail Division Reaccredited |
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Another Successful Outcome — (l – r) Sgt. Dan Davis, Lt. Chad Gridley, Sheriff Ron Spike, NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe and Chief Corrections Officer Jared Bailey at the recognition ceremony.
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From the Yates County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page: “[We’re] Proud today to have NYSSA Executive Peter Kehoe present the Yates County Sheriff's Office reaccreditation for corrections county jail operations with our accreditation team at the County Legislature meeting. Congrats to all of our jail division.” |
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Westchester County Police Department is Reaccredited |
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Keeping Up the Good Work — Lt. Jeffrey Weiss (center), Accreditation Program Manager for the Westchester County Police Department, was presented with accreditation plaques from Johanna Sullivan (left), Director of the Office of Public Safety at the Division of Criminal Justice Services, and Rye Brook Police Chief Gregory Austin (right), Chairperson of the Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation Council.
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The Westchester County Police Department (WCPD) has received reaccreditation from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
Of the 572 law enforcement agencies eligible to participate in this program in New York State, only 163, or about 28%, have been accredited. The WCPD has achieved and maintained its accreditation status since 1992. The Department was in fact among the first 23 law enforcement agencies to achieve accreditation status within the first three years of the program.
The WCPD is under the command of Westchester County Department of Public Safety Acting Commissioner / Sheriff Terrance Raynor.
From the Department’s Facebook page: “We thank Lt. Weiss for his hard work and leadership managing the accreditation program. In addition, we congratulate our sworn and civilian members. Accreditation is yet another indication of this Department’s commitment to best practices and high standards.”
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Schenectady County Sheriff's Office is Newly Accredited |
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First-Time Recognition – Commemorating the Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office inaugural accreditation by the Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation Council (LEAAC) are (l – r) Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Michael Geraci; Johanna Sullivan, Director of the Office of Public Safety at the Division of Criminal Justice Services; Sheriff Dominick Dagostino and LEAAC Chairperson Gregory Austin.
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The Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office is the newest agency to obtain accreditation through the state’s LEAAC program from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. The Sheriff's Office joins 163 other law enforcement agencies having achieved this distinction. |
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LAST CALL: NYSSA Sheriffs' Winter Training Conference
January 16 – 19, 2023 | Albany, NY
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It’s almost here . . . NYSSA’s winter conference, January 16 – 19, 2023 at the Crowne Plaza Albany - The Desmond Hotel. Conference and hotel registration links are below. Start the New Year right and join a large number of Sheriffs who have already signed up. Register now!
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National Sheriffs' Association Annual Winter Conference
February 4 – 7, 2023 | Washington, DC
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Connect and convene with Sheriffs and other law enforcement personnel from across the country. It’s a jam-packed agenda and promises to be another successful event bringing professionals from various fields together in a collegial and productive setting.
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C-PASS 2023 School Safety Conference
February 20 – 23, 2023 | Saratoga Springs, NY
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The Committee on Policing and Safeguarding Schools is pleased to announce its second annual C-PASS School Safety Training Conference and Networking Dinner at the Excelsior Springs Event Center in Saratoga Springs, NY. Click here for program and registration information.
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New Year, New Sheriff, New Recruit |
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One of the first actions taken by newly sworn Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar (right) was to enlist this Junior Deputy from the Town of Endwell. A good way to start the New Year! |
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