Recap of the Conference in the Catskills |
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The New York State Sheriffs’ Association’s 87th Summer Training Conference was held July 19 – 22 at the Villa Roma in Callicoon, Sullivan County. Sheriffs gathered for presentations on a variety of topics including Resources to Combat the Surge in Counterfeit In-Transit Permits and Plates, a summary of 2021 and 2022 Legislative issues, and a presentation by retired Putnam County Sheriff Donald Smith representing The Coalition Against Bigger Trucks.
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Sullivan County District Attorney Meagan Galligan (above left) and State Police Superintendent Kevin Bruen (c) were welcomed to the Conference by our host, Sullivan County Sheriff Michael Schiff (r). |
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Straight Talk – Dr. Cedric Alexander (above) presents “Navigating the Challenges of Violent Crime in the Age of Police Reform.”
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State of the State Police –Superintendent Bruen (above) updates Sheriffs on the challenges facing his agency.
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A Time to Heal – Officer George Hill (above), Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, leads a discussion on “Wellness and Resilience Training for Sheriff’s Offices.”
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The Winners – The foursome taking first place in the Sheriffs' Golf Outing were (above, l to r): Axon representative Drew Patterson, NYSSA’s Rapid Responder Project Manager Jim Bowers, Montgomery County Sheriff Jeff Smith and Allegany County Sheriff Ricky Whitney.
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Sheriffs in the Middle of History — When it became evident, a few days before, that the August 1969 Woodstock Concert was going to grow beyond all early anticipation, then-Sullivan County Sheriff Louis Ratner telegraphed to his fellow Sheriffs around the state for additional help. Our Summer Conference attendees who ventured out to the nearby Woodstock Museum in Bethel Woods saw on display a handwritten telegram (above) in reply to Sheriff Ratner, advising that then-Delaware County Sheriff Stretch Telian would be unable to spare any Deputies inasmuch as his County Fair would be underway at the same time, “…BUT if a civil disorder requires assistance…he will do everything possible to send assistance.”
Also on display was a letter from then-Allegany County Sheriff Dick Burdick (below) expressing his regret he could not send any Deputies to help with the “Pop Festival” inasmuch as none of his Deputies had had any training in riot control, but he concluded, “It is hoped that in the near future we will have men for such a situation and be able to help other departments.”
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And In Another Museum — Readers of File 25 may recall that New York’s Sheriffs are also spotlighted in another museum of music. Above is a picture which Cattaraugus County Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb sent us last summer from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH, showing one of our popular “Need Help: Call the Sheriff” bumper stickers stuck to the mandolin case once used by music legend Levon Helm of the Band.
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Suffolk County Sheriff on MCSA Committee |
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Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr. (pictured), was recently appointed to the Intelligence Commanders Committee of the Major County Sheriffs of America. The Committee was formed to foster communication among law enforcement agencies as an avenue for addressing public safety threats facing our communities.
“It’s very important . . . to share intelligence with our law enforcement partners,” said Sheriff Toulon in a Podcast on July 24. “This will give the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office an opportunity to share information with all Sheriff’s Offices across the country. Not only are we on the roadways and patrolling various jurisdictions, we also have the jails. Inside the jails we’re able to gather so much intelligence to help combat crimes, stop crimes, or solve crimes and for our Sheriff’s Office to be a participant will really help us learn what trends are occurring regionally.”
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Remember When Sheriff Toulon Wore Stripes (i.e., Pinstripes)? |
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More Pride of the Yankees – Errol Toulon (at left in photo) stands with legendary Yankees player Reggie Jackson c. 1980.
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Sheriff Toulon has worn many uniforms throughout his law-enforcement career. However, much of what he learned about how to run an organization is from the two years he spent in pinstripes as a bat boy for the New York Yankees in 1979 and 1980. Then, Toulon wore a Yankees uniform. The job not only included helping legendary equipment manager Pete Sheehy set up the locker room prior to games (Sheehy had worked with Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra), but Toulon was also shagging fly balls during pregame batting practice, collecting foul balls and bats during games and playing catch with the right fielder between innings – mostly with Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson.
"Of course, it was a little intimidating," Toulon said of the first time in the locker room with the Yankees star players such as Thurman Munson, Catfish Hunter, Graig Nettles, Willie Randolph, Bobby Murcer and Jackson. "But the players really made you feel like you were part of the team. The way they talked to you, the way they treated you. It was like you weren’t just the bat boy … My experience with the New York Yankees taught me about professionalism, how to treat people. That stayed with me."
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C-PASS Holds its First Basic Course for SROs / SRDs |
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Wyoming County Deputy Sheriff Sam West (pictured, left) is one of the 25-plus SRDs and SROs who last week completed the DCJS pilot Basic Training for School Resource Officers presented by C-PASS, the New York State Sheriffs' Association’s organization for School Resource Deputies and Officers.
Deputy West is assigned to the Attica Central School District as a School Resource Deputy. This training compliments his DARE and Active Shooter certificates. Deputy West is also a certified instructor in Police General Topics, Firearms and CPR / AED / First Aid. He is pictured with the program’s host, Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard, who presented the SRO-Basic Certifications following the week-long training in Bath, Steuben County.
Two more C-PASS programs were held in Westchester County in early August on Force Science De-escalation, and Policing and Safeguarding Students with Disabilities.
Also, Saratoga County will host a second C-PASS Basic School for SRDs and SROs, August 16 – 20 at Sheriff Zurlo’s new training facility. Three seats are available for anyone interested. Contact the Association office.
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Delaware County Sheriff's Office Earns Corrections Accreditation |
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Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond and his corrections staff were honored before the County Board of Supervisors in late July on the occasion of accreditation of the Corrections Division. In January the Office was recognized, also, for accreditation of its Civil Division, and it has had Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation for a number of years. Sheriff Dumond has now accomplished the goal he set out when he began this, his first term of office: to have a fully accredited Sheriff’s Office. NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe commended Sheriff DuMond, Undersheriff Tim Buckley, Chief Jail Administrator Alan Weaver, and the entire Sheriff’s Office staff on their achievements. Special recognition was given to Sgt. Heath Goff and Officer Paul Moore for their diligence in managing the accreditation process in such an expeditious manner.
Pictured above (l to r) are Major John DeMeo, NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe, Sheriff Craig DuMond, Undersheriff Tim Buckley, Jail Administrator Alan Weaver and Accreditation Manager, Sgt. Heath Goff.
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It's Summer . . . and It's All About the Kids |
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Campgrounds and fairgrounds serve as summertime playgrounds for youth taking a break from school. Sheriffs are there as well, helping kids understand the role law enforcement agencies play in protecting their home communities. Below is a short picture essay of two familiar seasonal venues:
New York State Sheriffs’ Institute Camp
Back in action after a year off due to the pandemic, Camp Iroquois in Penn Yan has returned to its usual daily routine of activity and fun, with new campers arriving weekly. Sheriff’s Offices statewide helped send youth off on their adventures, if not stopping by for a visit. For a sample of camp life, check out what was happening during Week Four.
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A Schoharie Sendoff – Schoharie County Deputy Sheriff and Camp Coordinator Denise Proctor (center) poses with youth bound for Keuka Lake in mid-July.
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Double that High Five! – Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa pumps up the excitement prior to campers’ departure.
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A First-hand Account —
As reported by Wyoming County Sheriff Gregory Rudolph: “We were able to send 20 Wyoming County kids to the Sheriffs' Summer Camp this year. Deputy Ivan Carrasquillo (pictured back row, right) and I (back row, left) went yesterday to do a run with the kids. It was cancelled due to the weather; however, we were able to see the fun they were having. Pictured are 5 of the 20 Wyoming County kids Deputy Carrasquillo and I saw at breakfast.”
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County Fairs
Agricultural fairs are a centuries-old tradition. Throughout New York State that tradition remains strong – especially after the previous year when a large number of the county fairs were cancelled. Many Sheriff’s Offices have their own buildings on the fairgrounds, welcoming residents and visitors to view the latest equipment, meet staff and see them exhibit their special skills.
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A Sharp Team –
(pictured l – r) Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff Hallett, K-9 O’Nei and Sheriff Colleen O’Neill at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s display during the Jefferson County Fair in mid-July.
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Law Enforcement . . . and More! - Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff Curtiss (pictured) was on assignment to fair detail . . . and milking it for all it’s worth.
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The Force is Out in Force – Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo (pictured far right) poses with members of his staff outside their building at the Saratoga County Fair in late July.
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And Speaking of Kids . . . |
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Livingston County Sheriff Tom Dougherty was unable to attend the Summer Conference, because he was busy attending to an even more important duty: welcoming into the world his new son, Brooks Thomas Dougherty, who arrived Tuesday morning, July 20. Mom and baby – and the Sheriff – are all doing well. Congratulations to Sheriff Dougherty and family!
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