There was not much activity this year in terms of Sheriff elections. Two counties will have new Sheriffs at the helm starting January 1; two incumbent Sheriffs ran unopposed and were reelected.

Cattaraugus County

Former Cattaraugus County Undersheriff Eric Butler (pictured) was elected to a four-year term as Sheriff. He succeeds long-time Sheriff and former NYSSA President Timothy Whitcomb. Sheriff Butler became Acting Sheriff when Sheriff Whitcomb retired last August.

The new Cattaraugus County Undersheriff is Nathan Root (pictured). Undersheriff Root has served in law enforcement for 25 years, 22 years with the Sheriff’s Office and three years with the Salamanca Police Department.

Genesee County

From the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page: “Congratulations to our 55th Sheriff, Chief Deputy Joseph M. Graff.”

Sheriff-Elect Graff (pictured) ran unopposed.

He began his law enforcement career in March 1999 as a Genesee County Probation Officer. In February 2004, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office. In 2015 he was promoted to Investigator and in 2017 he became Chief Deputy of the Road Patrol Division. He has been Chief Deputy of the Criminal Investigation Division since 2019.

Bradley Mazur will continue his current service as Genesee County Undersheriff.

Genesee County Leadership Lineup — Genesee County Sheriff-Elect Joseph Graff (above center) joins current Sheriff William A. Sheron, Jr. (left) and former Sheriff / current County Legislator Gary T. Maha (right) at a recent gathering. Sheriff Sheron will retire at the end of December after serving more than 47 years with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office. All the best in retirement, Sheriff Sheron!

Unopposed Incumbents

Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti (left) and Steuben County Sheriff James Allard (right) ran unopposed and were elected to serve a subsequent term.

Congratulations to the new and returning Sheriffs!

Onondaga County Sheriff Toby Shelley (pictured at podium) was named the 2024 Veteran / First Responder of the Year by the Onondaga County Veterans Council, in recognition of his 30 years of service in both the military and law enforcement.

Sheriff Shelley, who served in the Iraqi war, recalled how difficult it was when he returned to the United States from Iraq, trying to make sense of both his and his military colleagues’ efforts and why they made a difference. He recounted how former Congressman Dan Maffei gave him some advice.

“He said, ‘You go into wars like Iraq [that] don’t necessarily have a finish line to win. It gives us heroes in America,’” Noted the Sheriff. “And he’s 100 percent right; it brought a lot of heroes to America, but it also brought a number of Gold Star Mothers who are the true heroes.”

Late last year, Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone (pictured) proposed to create a reentry hub for newly released inmates — a location where released individuals could go and make a phone call, get their cell phones charged, and have a place where they could wait until a bus was available to take them back to their home community. The hub opened on April 1 of this year.

“It’s not just a reentry hub, but it’s called Chautauqua CARES [Comprehensive Addiction Response and Evaluation System] and it’s to help those who are in the jail and are reentering society,” said Sheriff Quattrone. “The goal of the hub is to allow for those being released from the jail to stop over and connect with services right away,” he said.

CARES has helped released inmates get health insurance, find out about GED employment services, food, housing, mental health services and treatment for substance abuse.

“We’re trying to help them develop a habit of doing the right things,” said Sheriff Quattrone.

Congratulations are in Order — Pictured from left to right: Chief Thomas Diina of the Erie County Sheriff's Office; Mark O'Brien, Erie County Department of Mental Health; Felicia Beard, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and Karhlton Moore, Bureau of Justice Assistance Director.



Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia congratulated Chief Thomas Diina of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Community Reintegration Division and the Erie County Reentry Coalition after the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) honored them with a ‘Co-Creating Safer Communities’ Award.'

The Award “recognizes an individual or team for their successful community engagement efforts in the co-creation of public safety within a jurisdiction.” While presenting the award, BJA Director Karhlton Moore referenced Sheriff Garcia’s creation of the Reintegration Division and the opening of the Reentry Opportunity Center in Downtown Buffalo.

“I am extremely proud of Chief Diina, our Community Reintegration Division personnel and all our partners,” said Sheriff Garcia. “They are working tirelessly to help Incarcerated Individuals transition back into society. Not only is it the right thing to do. It also benefits Erie County taxpayers, as it is reducing recidivism. I thank the Department of Justice and Bureau of Justice Assistance for recognizing their efforts. This honor is well deserved.”

All In — In support of the 2024 National Faith and Blue Weekend, Chemung County Undersheriff Douglas Houper joined other law enforcement officers at a Habitat for Humanity house project. From left to right: Undersheriff Houper, Chief Michael Suhey and Officer Scott Zelko from the Horseheads Police Department, Sergeant Theron Brown from the Elmira Police Department and Sergeant Patrick Audinwood from the Horseheads Police Department. Good work, gentlemen!

Columbia County Deputy Sheriffs Cody Falkner and Timothy Gladwin were commended by the Columbia County American Legion and presented with its Law Enforcement Certificate of Commendation for outstanding public service.

Last August, the Deputies entered a burning apartment building without hesitation to save the life of one of its residents.

During the presentation, American Legion Post Commander Eric De Kraai said, “I know they both feel they were just doing their job, doing what was expected of them, but to us, they’re heroes!”

Pictured above left to right are Columbia County Undersheriff Jacqueline Salvatore, Deputy Sheriffs Gladwin and Falkner and Columbia County Sheriff Donald Krapf.

Putnam County Sheriff Kevin McConville (pictured) has been asked to serve on a Steering Committee for the New York Alerts Review and Advisory Plan, managed by the Missing Persons Clearinghouse through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).

The Steering Committee advises DCJS on policy matters related to the operation of issuing Alerts for missing persons — children, college students and vulnerable adults.

Erie County Deputy Sergeant Mark P. Scanlon, of Buffalo (pictured), fell from a portable tree stand and died during a hunting trip.

Sergeant Scanlon worked in the Jail Management Division, noted Sheriff John Garcia.

“Sergeant Scanlon was a civil servant that the people of Erie County can be proud of,” Garcia said. “My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues.”

Sheriff Kirk Imperati recently announced the passing of Dutchess County Deputy Nicholas Gasparre, who succumbed earlier this month after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

“During this incredibly difficult time, we ask that you keep his family, friends and his colleagues at the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office in your thoughts and prayers,” noted Sheriff Imperati.

Deputy Gasparre began his law enforcement career with the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office in 2016 as a part-time Deputy. He was hired as a full-time Road Patrol Deputy the following year. He served several years on Road Patrol before being assigned to the Special Operations Bureau.

Prior to joining the Sheriff’s Office, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps, attaining the rank of Lance Corporal. He also was a volunteer fireman with the Beekman Fire Department.

From the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page: “It is with heavy hearts that the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office announces the passing of Correctional Officer Dawayne Vanderwork. Dawayne passed away in his home with his family by his side after a long battle with cancer.

“Dawayne was the type of man willing to help anyone — whether it was one of the young men he had coached in his many years as a coach, a co-worker who needed time off or help outside of work, or a friend in need. He often put other’s needs in front of his own, even during his battle, and always wanted to know how others were and what they needed. A true friend to all that knew him, a caring man who would always help others, and a great father to his daughter. His impact on those in his community will be greatly missed.”

The Sheriffs’ Winter Training Conference coincides with the session of the New York State Legislature and emphasizes an analysis of legislative matters of concern to Sheriffs and identifying legislative priorities for the future. Programs also address current topics of importance to Sheriffs in law enforcement, corrections, court security and civil matters.

Sheriffs also meet personally and informally with many state legislators and top state administrators to discuss important legislative and administrative issues. Click the link above to register for the Conference.

NYSSA’s Committee on Policing and Safeguarding Schools (C-PASS) recently reported its 700th member sign up since the Committee’s inception. Congratulations! The Committee notes the following items are on its short agenda:

• Fourth Annual Conference in Saratoga Springs, February 18 – 20;
• Two more BASIC SRO courses to take place by April 2025;
• New SRO-specific training courses are in development, as well as . . .
• . . . developing School Superintendent resources and . . .
• . . . a new name and logo for the Committee? Stay tuned.

From the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, showing Sheriff Brian Schenck above at the center of a comely and creative coven: “We joined our law enforcement partners, community service providers, and supporters on the steps of the Cayuga County Courthouse in Auburn for the Community Action Program's Annual #wearpurpleday Rally. This event helps raise awareness of domestic violence and its impact, honor the memories of loved ones lost to domestic violence and show survivors they are not alone.

“Purple symbolizes survival, courage and peace. The third Thursday of October is nationally recognized as Wear Purple Day or Purple Thursday to raise awareness and show support for survivors of domestic violence.”

Following this witchy theme, check out Sheriff Schenck’s public service announcement on the dangers of texting while driving . . . or flying on your broom.