Volume 412
February 9, 2018
Sheriffs' Association Launches New App
The NYSSA's new app was a big hit at the Winter Conference, where attendees were able access all conference information right on their phones and receive schedule reminders and notifications.

Download the new NYSSA App today and you'll have access to:

  • Sheriff Directory
  • Corporate Partner List 
(with links) 
  • Conference/Event Calendar
  • Push Notifications about NYSSA Events, Conferences, and News
  • Continuous news feed of all Sheriffs' news in NYS

Just  For Sheriffs  there is a pin-protected feature that you will want to check out. Contact Pat Hughes at phughes@nysheriffs.org for the PIN number.


Winter Conference for Sheriffs a Success
Over 50 Sheriffs and Undersheriffs attended the 84th Annual Winter Conference for Sheriffs at The Desmond in January. We were also joined by retired Sheriffs Daniel Middaugh and Bill Hasenauer from Oneida County, and Ron Cary from Madison County.  We want to thank the record 54 exhibitors and sponsors who supported this year's conference. Special thanks go to our Corporate Partners: AT&T, Black Creek, Correctional Medical Care, GTL, TheSheriffApp, Aramark, CDW-G, NYS Violent Death Reporting, AXON, CFG Health Systems, and Correct Care Solutions. Full story.

Photo: Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts, Mark Kukuvka of LaBella Associates, and Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol. (photo by Thomas F. Rocco).
Jeannette Flowers and Penny Barron of United Healthcare with Essex County Sheriff Richard Cutting. (photo by Thomas F. Rocco).
Warren County Sheriff Bud York and Rensselaer County Sheriff Pat Russo checking out the exhibits at the Winter Conference. (photo by Thomas F. Rocco).
New Officers Installed at Winter Conference
Members of the NYS Sheriffs' Association elected their 2018 slate of Officers, Executive Committee Members and Trustees at the Winter Training Conference. Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts was elected President of the Association. Sheriff Virts will work with sheriffs around the state to further the efforts of the Sheriffs' Association to enhance public safety in New York State through professional training and accreditation programs, public safety programs, and advocacy. In the picture above, Wayne County Administrator Richard House administers the oath of office to the Association's new leadership. Click here to see the Sheriffs' Association Officers, Trustees & Executive Committee Members. (photo by Thomas F. Rocco.)
Sheriffs Attend NYSAC Conference in Albany
Ten Sheriffs, along with several Undersheriffs, Jail Administrators and Sheriffs’ Association and Institute staff, participated in the annual NYSAC Winter Conference in Albany last week, including attendance at the meeting of NYSAC’s Public Safety committee, chaired by Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike. Once again Sheriff Spike’s meeting was the best attended committee meeting of the conference, with a standing room only crowd in attendance. The committee recommended four resolutions for adoption by the full NYSAC board: 

  1. Resolution Calling on the Governor and the State Legislature to Provide Funding for the State Mandate Pertaining to Inmate Supervision/Drug Overdose Precautions at County Operated Correctional Facilities 
  2. Resolution in Support of Efforts to Improve Probation and Alternative to Incarceration in New York State to Protect the Public and Reduce Reliance on Prisons, Jails and Detention 
  3. Resolution Calling on the State to Reimburse Counties for the Temporary Detainment of Parole Violators at Local Correctional Facilities 
  4. Resolution Calling on Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Office of Interoperable Communications, to More Equitably and Efficiently Release the Interoperable Emergency Communication Funds Authorized
Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike chairs meeting of the Public Safety Committee at the NYSAC Conference in Albany.
(l to r): Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike, Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower, Saratoga County Sheriff Mike Zurlo, Wyoming County Sheriff Greg Rudolph, Herkimer County Sheriff Chris Farber, Ontario County Sheriff Phil Povero, Allegany County Sheriff Ricky Whitney, Chemung County Sheriff Chris Moss, and Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts attend the NYSAC Conference in Albany.
A Familiar Face...at the NYSAC Conference
 A Familiar Face...at the NYSAC conference was that of Gary Maha, retired Sheriff of Genesee County, who was attending his first conference in his new position as a County Legislator representing the 9th District of Genesee County, a post he won in the November elections. Gary is joined on the County Legislature by another Sheriff’s Office veteran, Gordon Dibble, former Genesee County Chief Deputy who now represents District 3 at the Genesee County Legislature. Photo: Genesee County’s three new legislators are, left to right, Gary Maha, Gordon Dibble and John Hilchey.
Busy First Week for New Association President
NYSSA’s newly elected president, Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts, had a busy first week in office. On Monday and Tuesday he attended the NYSAC Conference at the Desmond, where he participated as a member of NYSAC’s Public Safety Committee. On Wednesday, along with NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe, he represented the Association at the 206th Session Graduation Ceremony of the New York State Police, held at the Convention Center in Albany, at which 206 new Troopers joined the ranks. Prior to the graduation Sheriff Virts had an opportunity to network at a coffee hour with many other representatives of major New York and national law enforcement agencies in attendance for the graduation.

Photo (l to r): NYS Police Deputy Superintendent Patricia M. Groeber, Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, Association President & Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts, and Executive Director Peter Kehoe.
Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts Gives Testimony at Assembly Hearing Exploring Legalizing Marijuana
Just before he took office as the new president of the Sheriffs' Association, Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts traveled to NY City with NYSSA Associate Counsel Alex Wilson to testify on behalf of New York's sheriffs at a NYS Assembly Hearing exploring the issue of legalization of marijuana in New York. "It is my strong belief that legalization will result in an increase in the use of marijuana, and at the same time would trivialize its negative effects, which could lead to further, more serious drug use especially for our youth," Sheriff Virts said as part of his testimony. Click here to read his complete testimony.
Violent Deaths are Preventable...New York Violent Death Reporting System
Many violent deaths happen in foreseeable, avoidable ways, suggesting that starting prevention early can help reduce the number of these deaths. The New York Violent Death Reporting System (NYVDRS) is a powerful tool that helps us understand these tragic events. NYVDRS allows law enforcement and public health officials to share information to develop a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding violent deaths. Click here to read an article that was published recently in the "Chief's Chronicle-Florida" that discusses how we are critical contributors to building this knowledge by collecting and sharing detailed investigative reports and providing valuable statistics.
#CommunityFirst Photo Contest Winners
Thanks to everyone who participated in our first annual Community First Photo Contest. 

We received 45 entries from 13 counties. All of the photos entered truly reflect the Community First theme.  Click here to view all photos submitted.

Congratulations to all the winners!

The First Place photo was submitted by Trina Piccolo of the Orange County Sheriff's Office. The picture depicts Orange County Sheriff's Deputy Vinnie Iannuzzi and K-9 Kato spending some time with a young visitor at the NY Air Show at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh NY.

The First Place image appears on our 2018 ‘Community First’ Honorary Membership Appreciation Medallion. Trina will receive a Commemorative Medallion & $100 Amazon Gift Card.
The Second Place photo was submitted by Chad Story of the Ulster County Sheriff's Office. The picture depicts School Resource Officer Michael Wilber at the Rondout School taking time out of his day to show the lighter side of law enforcement.

The Second Place image appears on our website and our social media accounts. Chad will receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card.
The Third Place photo was submitted by Scott Robertson of the Orange County Sheriff's Office.The photo depicts Officer Belinds Ortiz-Wade with one of New York State's oldest active Volunteer EMS members (Longest Tenure) at the Town of Warwick Park in Warwick, NY.

The Third Place image appears on our website and our social media accounts. Scott will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card.
Annual Awards Luncheon Recognizes Heroism, Excellence & Dedication
Each year the NYS Sheriffs’ Institute Awards recognize acts of valor and heroism, careers spent in service and dedication, and programs that raise the bar. Each and every award recipient has gone above and beyond the call of duty, elevating the difficult work of Sheriffs Offices. In recognizing them, we hope to shine a light on the many small selfless acts that are carried out around our state each day by sheriff’s office employees. Congratulations the 2018 Award Recipients.
Broome County Sheriff Dave Harder received the Sheriff Grover Cleveland Award, the Institute’s most prestigious award, which is given to a sheriff who has been uncompromising in his commitment to the office of sheriff. Photo (l to r): Association President, Sheriff Tim Whitcomb, Niagara County Sheriff Jim Voutour, Broome County Sheriff Dave Harder, and Institute Chairman, Sheriff Ron Spike. (photo by Thomas F. Rocco)
Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy Thomas Munzert was named 2018 Deputy of the Year for displaying courage beyond the normal call of duty by entering a pond without safety equipment to rescue a driver in an overturned, smoking vehicle and bringing her to safety without injury. Photo (l to r): Deputy Thomas Munzert & Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts . (photo by Thomas F. Rocco)
Retired Cattaraugus County Undersheriff Robert Buchhardt received the 2018 Carl Draxler Award, which is given to an employee of a Sheriff’s Office whose exceptional career achievements and conscientious devotion to duty have demonstrated a spirit of selfless public service. Photo (l to r): Association President, Sheriff Tim Whitcomb, Jodie Buchhardt, Niagara County Sheriff Jim Voutour, retired Undersheriff Robert Buchhardt and Institute Chairman, Sheriff Ron Spike. Fun fact, Jodie Buchhardt is the daughter of former Cattaraugus County Sheriff Charles B. Hill as well as the wife of former Undersheriff Buchhardt. (photo by Thomas F. Rocco)
The Sheriff's Offices in Albany, Rensselaer, and Saratoga Counties received the 2018 Innovative Program Award. The 3 counties collaborated to develop a regional 911 system that shares a Computer Aided Dispatch System (CAD). Photo (l to r): Association President, Sheriff Tim Whitcomb, Niagara County Sheriff Jim Voutour, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, Rensselaer County Sheriff Pat Russo, Saratoga County Sheriff Mike Zurlo, and Institute Chairman, Sheriff Ron Spike. (photo by Thomas F. Rocco)
Kimberly Ward of Tioga County was named 2018 Civil Officer of the Year. Photo (l to r): Association President, Sheriff Tim Whitcomb, Niagara County Sheriff Jim Voutour, Kim Ward, Tioga County Sheriff Gary Howard and Institute Chairman, Sheriff Ron Spike. (photo by Thomas F. Rocco)
Sergeant Robert Cathcart of Erie County was named 2018 Correction Officer of the Year. Photo (l to r): Association President, Sheriff Tim Whitcomb, Niagara County Sheriff Jim Voutour, Sergeant R obert Cathcart, Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard, Erie County Jail Superintendent Thomas Diina and Institute Chairman, Sheriff Ron Spike. (photo by Thomas F. Rocco)
Steven McAninch of Chautauqua County was named 2018 Emergency Communicator of the Year. Photo (l to r): Niagara County Sheriff Jim Voutour, Association President, Sheriff Tim Whitcomb, Steven McAninch, Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace and Institute Chairman, Sheriff Ron Spike. (photo by Thomas F. Rocco)
The Chautauqua County Sheriffs' Office, received the 2018 Traffic Safety Program of the Year Award in recognition of its "Sheriffs' Warning Ticket Program." Photo (l to r): Association President, Sheriff Tim Whitcomb, Niagara County Sheriff Jim Voutour, Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace and Institute Chairman, Sheriff Ron Spike. (photo by Thomas F. Rocco)
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