NYSSA Winter Conference Introduces New Topics, New Awardees, New President |
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The New York State Sheriffs’ Association 88th Annual Winter Training Conference concluded in Albany last month, with several days of presentations, networking, connecting with vendors and peer-to-peer discussions to help further the work of Sheriffs across the State.
Additionally, the annual Sheriffs’ Institute Awards Luncheon recognized a number of deserving recipients and celebrated their achievements in the profession.
And by no means last or least, Livingston County Sheriff Thomas Dougherty was sworn in as the 2022 President of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, along with the other 2022 Association officers and members of the Executive Committee. Following is a visual summary of some events that took place.
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New York Senator Robert Ortt (R-62) speaks on law-enforcement initiatives sponsored by his office. His district covers portions of Western New York State. |
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What's New @ NYS Homeland Security |
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Jackie Bray, then Acting Commissioner of the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, provides insights on operations that are in place within the Division’s Office of Counter Terrorism.
Shortly after the Conference, Ms. Bray was confirmed as the new Commissioner.
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At a packed session, Steuben County Sheriff James Allard (center) poses a question to Tyler Nims (at podium), Chief of the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office, NYS Office of the Attorney General, during an overview of Executive Law 75 and the role of the new Misconduct Investigative Office. |
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Orange County Sheriff Carl DuBois stands with family members as he received the 2022 Sheriff Grover Cleveland Award from the NYS Sheriffs’ Institute, in recognition of his “twenty years of service to the Office of the Sheriff and his steadfast dedication to upholding the integrity and professionalism of the Office of the Sheriff.” Shown, from left to right, are son Austin, Sheriff DuBois and wife Barbara.
The Sheriff Grover Cleveland Award is the highest award given by the New York State Sheriffs' Institute. It recognizes an incumbent Sheriff's commitment and dedication to the Office of Sheriff – the advancement of that office both professionally and ethically.
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Broome County Deputy Emily Zielewicz (left) was recognized with not one, but two awards – Deputy of the Year and the Sheriff Colleen M. O’Neill Award. With Deputy Zielewicz is Broome County Sheriff David Harder. Her Deputy of the Year award was given in recognition of her quick thinking and heroic actions that helped save the life of a wounded Trooper under incredible circumstances.
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New this year, the Sheriffs’ Institute Awards Committee established the Sheriff Colleen M. O’Neill Award to recognize a female officer – this year Deputy Zielewicz – who has contributed to both the advancement of women in law enforcement and the advancement of the Office of Sheriff.
Sheriff O’Neill (pictured) is the first elected female Sheriff in New York State history. After a 28-year career with the State Police, she successfully ran for Jefferson County Sheriff in 2011 and has served as Sheriff for three terms. She will step down as Sheriff at the end of this year. Her father, Al O’Neill, also served as Jefferson County Sheriff as part of his distinguished career in law enforcement.
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2022 Carl Draxler Award Recipient |
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Monroe County Sheriff Lieutenant Peter Zambuto displays his award with well-wishers (l to r) Saratoga County Sheriff Mike Zurlo; Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike, Chair of the Sheriffs’ Institute Awards Committee; Lt. Zambuto; Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter and Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting, NYSSA Executive Committee Chair.
Lt. Zambuto was recognized for his “involvement and efforts in incidents, events and initiatives. . . his devotion to duty and selflessness is an example to others.”
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Somber but Strong Advocacy |
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Max Schachter (by podium at left), Founder and Executive Director of Safe Schools for Alex, speaks to Sheriffs on “A Father’s Journey to Make Schools Safer After the Parkland (FL) School Shooting.” His son, Alex (pictured behind Mr. Schachter), was a victim of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018. |
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Ushering in New Leadership |
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Yates County Sheriff Ronald Spike (far right) swears in the 2022 NYSSA President, Livingston County Sheriff Thomas Dougherty, who stands with his family (l – r) wife, Chandra, holding their newborn son Brooks, daughter Londyn and son Lincoln (holding the Bible). Sheriff Dougherty provided brief comments, noting he was ready to work with all New York Sheriffs to strengthen the their offices and advance the goals of the law-enforcement profession throughout the State. |
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Sheriff Dougherty resides in the Village of Geneseo and is a lifelong resident of Livingston County. He started his career with the Sheriff’s Office in 2005 as a Deputy Sheriff on the Road Patrol. In 2010 he was reassigned to the Criminal Investigations Division and promoted to Investigator in January 2011. In November 2013 he was elected the 50th Sheriff of Livingston County.
A graduate of SUNY Geneseo with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Sheriff Dougherty also brings ten years of private-sector business management experience to the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office.
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All Dressed Up and "Swearin" To Go |
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Members of the 2022 NYSSA Executive Committee gather prior to being sworn in en masse at the Winter Conference.
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New K-9 Honors the Legacy of Jefferson County Sheriff James Lafferty |
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K-9 Lafferty (pictured) of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is a 9-month-old Belgian Malinois, partnered for training with Deputy Christian Hughes.
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K-9 Lafferty is named after the 55th Sheriff of Jefferson County, James L. Lafferty (pictured), who started his law enforcement career as an Oneida County Deputy Sheriff before joining the New York State Police. After retiring from the NYSP, Lafferty served as Jefferson County Undersheriff to Sheriff Don Newberry. In 1994 he was elected Sheriff, and re-elected in 1998. He retired at the end of his second term in 2002. At 87 years young, Sheriff Lafferty is still upbeat and going strong. The Sheriff’s Office couldn't be more proud to name their newest K-9 after him.
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St. Lawrence County Deputy Honored for Lifesaving Efforts Her Second Day on the Job |
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For Fine and Fast Work – Deputy Bobbi Snyder (left) receives the Commendation from St. Lawrence County Sheriff Brooks Bifwarfe.
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The St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office presented Deputy Bobbi Snyder with a Letter of Commendation for her courageous acts on the evening of December 2, 2021 . . . two days after she was hired.
Deputy Snyder responded to a report of an unconscious male in Canton, NY. She arrived at the scene and without hesitation began administering CPR. Due to the immediate action of Deputy Snyder and the aid of Canton Rescue, they regained a pulse and the male was transported for further treatment.
The St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office looks forward to Deputy Snyder having a bright future in law enforcement.
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Oswego County Correction Officer Succumbs to Covid |
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Oswego County Sheriff Don Hilton announced the line-of-duty death of Correction Officer Melissa M. France (pictured) from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19.
Officer France was a Navy Veteran and single mother to her 19-year-old daughter. She had served with the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office for ten years and was most recently assigned to the Corrections Division Transport Platoon.
She worked selflessly organizing and implementing numerous community events and charities, including Trick or Treat off the Street, Shop with a Cop, Christmas Cards for Troops, Adopt a Senior and Toys for Tots. She collected and donated food for Thanksgiving dinners for the senior citizens in the community. One of her biggest passions was the Scholarship Committee. Melissa worked tirelessly to help local students continue their education beyond high school.
In early December, Officer France became infected with COVID-19 during the performance of her duties. After various treatment methods at area care facilities she succumbed to the virus in mid-January following a long and courageous battle. The New York State Sheriffs’ Association extends its sincere sympathies to the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office and to Officer France’s family and friends.
At the NYSSA Winter Training Conference New York State Commission of Correction Chairman Allen Riley reported to Sheriffs that four correction officers have passed away due to Covid complications – two county correction officers, and two state correction officers.
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Not Too Early to say, "It's All About the Kids" |
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A Generous Boost for Next Year’s Camp – In December, Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts and Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike (pictured, seated) received a $3,000 donation from members of the Moose Lodge #1420 Riders of Palmyra, NY for the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute Kids Summer Camp. The donation will be used to aid camp operations during the 2022 season.
This was one of the last official events attended by Sheriff Virts, who retired from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office at the end of December. What a way to go, Sheriff, and thank you for your service!
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Dear Sheriffs: Happy National Pizza Day from Your Legislator |
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Surprised with Pies — NY Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s Chief of Staff Eileen Banker (r) drops off pizza to Sheriff Christopher Bourke at the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office on February 9, National Pizza Day.
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Assemblyman Steve Hawley used National Pizza Day on February 9 as an opportunity to show his appreciation for the work of local law-enforcement groups within his district by sending pizzas from local shops to numerous agencies.
“Our officers put their lives on the line daily to protect us and our neighbors, and it must be said their work has only grown more challenging in the last several years,” said Hawley. “National Pizza Day was . . . a chance to give back . . . it was my honor to provide some nourishment to our hard-working officers.”
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office was among 11 agencies sent pizzas by the Assemblyman.
“We are grateful for Assemblyman Hawley’s support of our office and that of other law-enforcement agencies in the County,” said Orleans County Sheriff Christopher Bourke.
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Former Hamilton County Sheriff Douglas Parker |
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Retired Hamilton County Sheriff Douglas A. Parker, 79, of Lake Pleasant, NY, passed away on February 10. Sheriff Parker began his service with the Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy/Jailer in 1969 and became Undersheriff in 1973. He was elected Sheriff in 1982 and served in that position for 26 years until his retirement in 2009.
“Sheriffing” was in Doug’s blood. His father, Art Parker, served as Sheriff for many years before him, his mother and his wife both served as matrons and cooks at the jail, and his son-in-law, Karl Abrams, is the current Hamilton County Sheriff. As Sheriff, Doug was an active member of our Association, and always, like his father, a soft-spoken gentleman. The New York State Sheriff's Association offers its condolences to Sheriff Abrams and and the Parker family.
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Oneida County Sheriff's Office Earns Reaccreditation of Law-Enforcement Division |
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Reaccreditation Received – Acting Commissioner of the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Rossana Rosado (center) presents Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol with the Certificate of Accreditation. On hand (l – r) are Accreditation Council Chairman Gregory Austin, Undersheriff Joseph Lisi, Acting Commissioner Rosado, Sheriff Maciol and Captain Christine Reilly, who received the John Kimball O’Neil Certificate of Achievement for her work as Accreditation Project Manager for the Sheriff’s Office.
All three divisions of the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office – Law Enforcement, Corrections and Civil – are accredited. The Sheriff’s Office was first accredited in 2006 and has received reaccreditation since then.
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Professional Development Calendar |
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C-PASS School Safety Conference |
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The Committee on Policing and Safeguarding Schools kicks off its first-ever three-day conference on school safety on February 21 and includes a lineup of presenters with a wide range of topics:
• Lessons Learned from Columbine
• LGBTQIA and Sensitivity
• Officer Wellness
• Active Shooter Response and Analysis
• Social Media
• Survival Mindset
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C-PASS De-escalation for the SRO — February 24, 2022 |
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C-PASS has announced a new, revised de-escalation course that focuses on scenarios and cases involving School Resource Officers and School Resource Deputies. Instruction will be provided by the Committee’s Force-Science-certified de-escalation instructors. Attendees will learn ways to address the needs of people in a state of mental-health crises, or those whose perception of reality is altered.
The pilot course if free to anyone who registered for the C-PASS 2022 Conference, February 21 – 23, 2022. Thirty spots are available to be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click here for more information.
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Past NYSSA Presidents Stand Together |
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Sheriffs at their Best – Past NYSSA Presidents joined new President Thomas Dougherty at his swearing in during the 2022 Winter Conference in Albany. From left to right, Acting Ontario County Sheriff Phil Povero, Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike, Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol, Livingston County Sheriff Thomas Dougherty, Washington County Sheriff Jeff Murphy and former Herkimer County Sheriff Chris Farber.
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