Onondaga Deputy Sheriff Remembered at Funeral |
|
Over a thousand members of law enforcement and first responder personnel, along with state and community leaders, attended the funeral service for Onondaga County Sheriff’s Deputy Lieutenant Michael Hoosock on April 22. |
|
Lt. Hoosock’s wife, Caitlin (pictured above), is supported by a member of the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office. “He was Superman to everyone else," she said. "He made sure that I knew coming home was all that mattered.” Read her eulogy for her husband here.
|
|
A Solemn Procession — Family and colleagues of Lt. Hoosock enter the Exposition Center at the New York State Fairgrounds, where the funeral was held.
|
|
Honor and Respect – Onondaga County Sheriff Toby Shelley (center) salutes Lt. Hoosock’s coffin prior to the start of services.
|
|
|
|
A Vast Outpouring of Support — Law enforcement officers and first responder personnel by the hundreds gather to mourn one of their own and celebrate his dedication to protecting the public.
|
|
Sheriff Urges State Legislature to Step Up LE Protections |
|
“First and Foremost” —NYSSA President and Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond
(at podium) addresses the media during a press conference, joined by (left to right) Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino, Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol and Greene County Sheriff Pete Kusminsky.
|
|
One day after the funeral of Lt. Michael Hoosock, NYSSA President Craig DuMond spoke about the recent tragic deaths of several law enforcement personnel during a press conference at the State Capitol.
“First and Foremost, it is time to end what has become the open season on police officers across New York State,” noted Sheriff DuMond. “Over the past month, New York has experienced the line-of-duty murders of four uniform police officers — Onondaga County Lieutenant Michael Hoosock, Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen, New York City Police Officer Jonathan Diller, and Genesee County Sheriff Sargent Thomas Sanfrantello. At a minimum, New York should have a mandatory life without parole for those who intentionally take the life of a police officer.”
Sheriff DuMond also voiced his support for a New York State Assembly measure that would make all gun crimes qualifying offenses for denying release, and he urged lawmakers to revisit the changes they made to bail statutes and the “Raise the Age” Law.
The Sheriff drove home the concerns shared by his colleagues:
“End the open season on law enforcement. Our communities deserve nothing less. These officers were heroes, dedicated to safeguarding our communities. To restore balance to our approach to criminal justice, we must empower judges to assess dangerousness and make informed decisions on bail eligibility. We need the Legislature to stand with us. It's time to take action to protect those who protect us.”
In addition to the Sheriffs pictured above, the following law enforcement personal attended the press conference:
• Albany County Sheriff Craig D. Apple, Sr.
• Columbia County Sheriff Donald J. Krapf
• Cortland County Sheriff Mark E. Helms
• Columbia County Undersheriff Jacqueline Salvatore
• Warren County Undersheriff Terry Comeau
• Warren County Lieutenant Rob Smith
• Oneida County Sergeant Curtis Morgan
|
|
Sheriff DuMond Takes to the Airwaves |
|
Along with the Capitol press conference, Sheriff DuMond carried his message to several media outlets. He was a guest on the “Capital Tonight” Spectrum News program with host Susan Arbetter, and spoke with Doug Goudie on WGY radio (Capital Region) at drive time, maximizing the audience. Additionally, he was a guest at WSYR radio serving Onondaga County — reaching the audience most impacted by the recent line-of-duty deaths — and made appearances on WBNG television (Johnson City) and Catskill Radio / BoldGold Media.
Thank you, Sheriff, for taking the time to spread the word on the need for increased support of law enforcement in New York State.
|
|
State of New York Police Officers Memorial Ceremony |
|
Forever Enshrined — The names of 68 police officers who died in the line of duty in 2023 were added to the Police Memorial Wall on the Empire State Plaza in Albany during New York's observance of Police Memorial Day on May 8. Sixty-four of those 68 officers had succumbed to 9-11 related illnesses.
These new additions to the Memorial make a total of 1,840 officers who have given their lives in the line of duty, serving the citizens or New York. Governor Kathy Hochul (pictured above, right) spoke movingly to the families of the fallen officers, continuing her practice of attending the memorial service since her days as Lt. Governor, where she stood in each year for Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Among the other officials attending were Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli (another regular attendee) and Attorney General Letitia James.
|
|
More Sheriffs Join Consortium for Safe Communities |
|
|
|
More, Better – (l to r) Herkimer County Sheriff Scott Scherer, Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter, and Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol are joined by a participant at a meeting of the Consortium for Safe Communities that now includes citizens and community leaders in the Mohawk Valley.
|
|
The Consortium for Safe Communities (CSC), an organization co-convened by Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter in the Finger Lakes Region that has since added a second organizational chapter in Western New York, is now expanding with a third chapter in the Mohawk Valley. It also plans to expand into the Capital District, setting up a statewide resource network.
CSC was founded to advocate for improvements to Public Safety legislation in New York State. Its members include crime victims, clergy, business people, community groups, law enforcement, government, medical and legal professionals and private citizens who refuse to accept the current state of their communities as normal. “It is the diverse, all-encompassing makeup of this group gives it a voice,” as noted in a press release from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
That voice seeks to change current legislation in the area of bail reform and to oppose elder parole legislation that would give all state prisoners the chance to be released on parole when they reach 55 years of age and have completed at least 15 years of their sentence, regardless of their crime or full sentence. “This concept is dangerous, arbitrary, and re-victimizes,” per the press release.
“Law enforcement needs the community, no matter where we’re talking about,” said Oneida County Sheriff Robert M. Maciol. “We’ve seen a decline certainly in the safety of our citizens and, unfortunately, a decline in the way our justice system treats victims of crimes.”
|
|
Congressman Joins Call to Increase Support for Sheriffs |
|
Partners Against Crime — Chemung County Sheriff Bill Schrom (left) meets with U.S. Congressman Nick Langworthy prior to a press conference late last month.
|
|
Congressional Representative Nick Langworthy paid a visit recently to the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office where he held a press conference to denounce the increase in vicious attacks on police officers and Sheriff’s Deputies.
Congressman Langworthy was joined by Chemung County Sheriff Bill Schrom and Undersheriff Douglas Houper, Tioga County Sheriff Gary Howard, Schuyler County Undersheriff Andrew Zeigler, and other local officials.
“As we witness an alarming surge in criminal activity, it’s imperative that we confront a harsh reality,” said Rep. Langworthy. “Our law enforcement officers are under attack, period. We can point to an officer right here in Chemung County — Investigator Michael Theetge, who was critically injured when hit by a shoplifter’s getaway car during an operation fighting retail theft. He’s fighting for his recovery.”
“So far, so good,” added Sheriff Schrom regarding the Investigator's road to recovery. The Sheriff also mentioned the need for bail reform to be amended or repealed for the safety of law enforcement.
"One of the problems is you don't have the right stakeholders at the table to begin with," said Sheriff Schrom. "I think a lot of these things could have been troubleshot...had they had the right stakeholders there . . . just to talk through some of the issues and concerns we have and take that into consideration before passing the laws."
”I’m in my 47th year with the Sheriff’s Office in Tioga County,” said Sheriff Howard. “When we first started, things were a lot different. It was a great community. It still is a great community, but things have to change. This catch and release program . . . they go to court and they’re back on the street before the deputies can get back in their patrol car.”
“This is my 31st year,” said Undersheriff Zeigler. “When I first started there were consequences when somebody broke the law. Now, there are no consequences.”
|
|
Stairway to Justice Honors Past Sheriffs |
|
Rising to Justice — Cortland County Sheriff Mark Helms (left) stands with County Legislator Sandy Price, wife of the late Sheriff Lee Price, at the dedication of the new Courthouse stairs.
|
|
After a number of years of yellow caution tape, traffic cones and fencing that blocked the steps to the Cortland County Courthouse, the County recently celebrated the completion of the stairway with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Included was a plaque commemorating three previous Sheriffs for their service to the community.
"I would like to thank the Cortland County Legislature, Assembly Member Anna Kelles, and the families of past Cortland County Sheriffs Kenneth McEvoy, Duane Whiteman, and Lee Price for allowing me to join the Cortland County Courthouse steps ribbon-cutting ceremony," noted Sheriff Helms in a Facebook post. "The steps were dedicated to the past three Sheriffs of Cortland County, who had a combined service of 54 years."
|
|
Former Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike, who retired at the end of last year, shared with NYSSA an image of the citation (pictured) he received from Governor Kathy Hochul, recognizing his 50-plus years of public service.
Well deserved, Sheriff Spike. Well deserved.
|
|
Administrative Assistants Training Conference a Success
|
|
NYSSA's Administrative Assistants and Confidential Secretaries Training Conference wrapped up in Saratoga Springs on May 8. Over 25 professionals (pictured above) attended the program.
Presentations covered the responsibilities and challenges facing administrators, de-escalation techniques, social media savvy for law enforcement and overviews of NYSSA programs and services.
Participants agreed that this event, last held in 2014, should be an annual occurrence. See everyone next year!
|
|
|
|
Knowledge Is Performance — Speakers included Heather Bessette (left photo) from the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office and former Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike (above). |
|
Share and Share Alike — The topics generated engaged and lively discussions among attendees (per the photos above), and resulted in people sharing their resources and best practices. |
|
Sheriffs throughout New York State receive and account for hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of dollars each year.
NYSSA's Civil Supervisor Training Conference focuses on best practices for the service of process and handling of funds for the County, with presentations on such issues as new technology, case law and statute updates, handling and preserving public records, and working with County and State accounting agencies to make sure that all records are accurately maintained. Click the link above for more information and to register.
|
|
The New York State Sheriffs' Association Undersheriff Training Conference provides training in such areas as labor management, employee discipline, and management of employee benefits (such as disability payments and family, health and military leave).
Since all major divisions of the Sheriff’s Office — Law Enforcement, County Jail, Civil Division and Court Security — report directly to the Undersheriff, the conference also provides training in those areas, with representatives from State and Federal agencies presenting relevant programs. Click the link above for more information and to register.
|
|
Coffee . . . with a Dash of Experience |
|
The Livingston County Sheriff's Office holds a monthly "Coffee with Retirees" Day, when retired members of the Sheriff's Office come in to enjoy coffee and donuts with current members.
"This is an excellent opportunity for past and present members to connect and share stories about their time that they have dedicated to serving the residents of Livingston County," per the Sheriff's Office Facebook page. Enjoy!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
