The New York State Sheriffs’ Association offers its congratulations to the new Sheriffs starting their terms. The links below provide their profiles from an earlier File 25 and from local news sources.

File 25, Volume 494

• Jacqueline Salvatore, Columbia County



• Brian Hess, Putnam County

• Jeff Brown, Saratoga County 


• Albro Fancher, Schoharie County

And a number of new Undersheriffs throughout the state have also started their service, including those who are teaming up with the newly elected Sheriffs noted above.

Undersheriff Rensel’s career includes a service record that spans multiple roles in public safety and educational sectors. He provided court security duties for the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, where he reached the rank of Lieutenant, and served as a Security Manager at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He was also a School Safety & Security Officer in Jamestown, a Behavior Intervention Coordinator at Gustavus Adolphus Learning Center, and on the security team for Buffalo Bills games through the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. He earned his BA in Criminal Justice from SUNY Buffalo.

Ian Boehme is a lifelong resident of Columbia County. He began his career with the Chatham Police Department in 2007 and joined the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office in 2008. Over the past 17 years he has served in a wide range of roles, including Road Patrol Deputy, School Resource Deputy, D.A.R.E. Officer, Criminal Investigator and was the Administrative First Sergeant. He is an FBI-certified crisis negotiator, a certified evidence technician and an accreditation assessor for the New York State Sheriffs’ Association.

Undersheriff Boehme earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Economics from Empire State College.

Genesee County Sheriff Joseph Graff appointed Ryan DeLong Undersheriff last summer upon the retirement of Undersheriff Brad Mazur. DeLong joined the Sheriff’s Office in July 2015 after a five-year stint as a Contract Detention Officer at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia.

“Investigator DeLong is an exceptional Deputy [and] he’s been an exceptional Investigator,” noted Sheriff Graff. “He has been one of the Sheriff’s Office employees who always goes over and beyond anything that he’s asked to do. He certainly has proven himself to be a valuable asset here at the Sheriff’s Office.”

James T. Menton (right in photo) was sworn in as the new Undersheriff by Sheriff Brian Hess (left).

A native of Carmel, Undersheriff Menton brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. His career includes roles as Detective First Grade with the NYPD and Criminal Investigator with the Westchester County DA's Cold Case Bureau, where he led complex investigations. His work included serving as the lead investigator in the nation’s then-oldest actual innocence case, which resulted in the exoneration of a wrongfully convicted man and the successful prosecution of the perpetrator.

Over his 32-year career, Undersheriff Menton has earned some of the highest honors in law enforcement, including the FBI Medal for Meritorious Achievement, Federal Law Enforcement Foundation Investigator of the Year and the National Association of Police Organizations Top Cops Award, in addition to multiple NYPD Meritorious Service Medals and citations from the New York City Council, Bronx Borough, and the City of Yonkers.

Newly appointed Undersheriff George Maxfield will serve under newly elected Saratoga County Sheriff Jeffrey Brown. Sheriff Brown previously served as Undersheriff for Michael Zurlo, who retired last month.

Undersheriff Maxfield received his Associate Arts and Sciences degree in Criminal Justice and Police Science from Hudson Valley Community College. He joined the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office in March 2000 and has over 25 years of law enforcement experience, ranging from patrol, patrol supervision, investigations, investigations supervision and command / management, also garnering extensive experience managing agency resources and coordinating with numerous law enforcement agencies from across the state and country. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Class # 293.

Michael Brown will serve as Undersheriff for newly re-elected Sheriff Dominic Dagostino.

Undersheriff Brown has 29 years of experience with the Rotterdam Police Department — most recently serving as Chief — and has known Sheriff Dagostino for nearly as long from their working together at the Police Department.

“He is a great addition to this Office, and I look forward to Chief Brown joining the staff here,” Sheriff Dagostino said in a statement late last year.

Undersheriff Sam (Samie) Lizzio grew up in Johnstown, New York. After high school he joined the United States Marine Corps, where he served for eight years prior to beginning his career in law enforcement. To quote the Undersheriff, he was "lucky enough to be hired by the New York State Police in 1986." During his 25 years with the State Police, he served in the ranks of Trooper, Sergeant, Station Commander, Zone Sergeant, and finally, Lieutenant.

Upon retirement from the State Police, he spent several years working in cruise ship security — both as an Investigator and as the Chief Security Officer on ships for Carnival, Disney and Seabourn. Following that, he worked for the state of Florida as a Weight Inspector, conducting commercial vehicle enforcement. 

Undersheriff Lizzio is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the International Association of Chiefs of Police Leadership School, and a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom as a member of the Army Reserves.

The Undersheriff and his wife, Caroline, are proud parents to four children, as well as grandparents to eight grandchildren. 

Undersheriff Craig Bianco has lived all his life in the Southern Tier. Born in Steuben County, his family moved to Schuyler County when he was two years old. He graduated from the Watkins Glen Central School District and attended Corning Community College before attending the Southern Tier Law Enforcement Academy in Corning, graduating in 2006.

He joined the Watkins Glen Police Department and began his work with the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office in March 2007. He started as a Road Patrol Deputy, where he was promoted to Sergeant. In March 2014 he was promoted to Investigator and spent a number of years handling cases dealing with fraud, sexual abuse and crimes against children. He became a Criminal Investigator in 2017, was promoted to Lieutenant in 2023 and subsequently appointed Undersheriff by Sheriff Kevin Rumsey, effective January 1, 2026.

Undersheriff Bianco serves as a physical trainer at the Southern Tier Law Enforcement Academy, is a football and baseball coach in his community and enjoys camping and hunting trips with his wife and three children.

Several Sheriff’s Offices recently received accreditation / re-accreditation for their work in maintaining the highest standards of operations in their facilities. Following is a summary of their achievements in maintaining professional standards.

Top-notch Communications — New York State Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director Peter Kehoe (left in photo) presents Montgomery County Sheriff Jeff Smith with a plaque noting the accreditation of the Office’s 911 Communications Center.

“Please join me in congratulating everyone involved with our 911 Dispatch Center on receiving a favorable report and achieving accreditation. This recognition is a testament to your hard work and professionalism,” said Sheriff Jeffery T. Smith. “It is something to be proud of, knowing that you operate within the highest standards and professionalism that exist in New York State. Thank you for your commitment to excellence and for the vital role you play in serving the people of Montgomery County.”

A Great Way to Start the Year — Orange County Sheriff Paul Arteta (at right in photo), stopped by NYSSA headquarters in Albany to show the Certificate of Accreditation to Executive Director Peter Kehoe.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has received re-accreditation as a law enforcement agency from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, marking the 20th year of accreditation.

Sheriff Paul Arteta and several members of the Sheriff’s Office staff attended the event in Albany to be part of this milestone moment.

“We are honored to once again receive re-accreditation from DCJS, and to celebrate 20 years of meeting these high standards,” Sheriff Arteta noted. “I want to thank the Accreditation Council, Program Manager Hector Hernandez, and Assistant Program Manager Rich Ross for their guidance and support throughout this process.”

Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office has completed the on-site assessment phase of its re-accreditation process for CALEA, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. On to the next step!

Secured — NYSSA Seneca County Sheriff Tim Thompson (right) receives re-accreditation certificates and plaques for both the Corrections and Court Security Divisions from NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office has successfully met the high professional standards and best practices for re-accreditation of its Corrections Division and its Court Security Division. The Sheriff’s Office continues to be part of a select group of agencies that have attained accreditation for both these divisions.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office also holds accreditation in its Civil and Law Enforcement divisions, meaning they are accredited in every state-level accreditation program available in New York State.

“These accomplishments reflect the dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence demonstrated every day by the men and women who serve our community,” noted the Sheriff’s Office in a Facebook post.

Civilly Done — Delaware County Sheriff Craig S. DuMond (center) and Corporal Daniel McGowan (right) hold a plaque presented by NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe (at left), recognizing re-accreditation of the Office’s Civil Division through October 2030.

From the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page: “[We] were honored to accept this Certificate of re-accreditation on behalf of the men and women who work every day to uphold the highest professional standards in service to the people of Delaware County. We appreciate NYSSA’s continued support, training, and accreditation programs, which help Sheriff’s Offices across New York maintain consistency, transparency, and public trust.”

Passing of the Plaque — Chautauqua County Sheriff and 2025 NYSSA President James Quattrone (at right in photo) is congratulated by NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe during a presentation of a plaque commemorating the Office’s re-accreditation of the Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division. It was presented during a recent meeting of the Chautauqua County Legislature, with Chair Pierre Chagnon (in background) leading the applause.

The Corrections Division it is part of a small group: Less than half of the Sheriff’s Offices in the state have qualified for Corrections Accreditation. The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office also currently holds accreditations for the PSAP, Civil Court Security and Law Enforcement Divisions.

Wayne County Sheriff Rob Milby (pictured left) poses with NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe, who recognized the men and women of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office on the accreditation of its Public Safety Answering Point.

It joins a select group of only 19 of the State’s 62 counties that have qualified for PSAP accreditation.

Furthermore, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office also maintains accreditation of its Civil, Jail, Court Security Operations and Law Enforcement divisions.

“That is a great testament to Sheriff Milby and the entire staff of [the] Sheriff’s Office, and it clearly demonstrates their dedication to the pursuit of excellence in the services they provide to the citizens of Wayne County,” noted Mr. Kehoe.

C-PASS Conference | February 17 – 19, 2026

The New York State Sheriffs’ Association Committee on Policing and Safeguarding Schools is pleased to announce its fourth annual C-PASS School Safety Training Conference in Saratoga. The highlight of the Conference is the Networking Dinner, which brings attendees together in a social and collegial setting. Click the link above for registration and program information.

Starting the New Year Right

Leaders from numerous law enforcement agencies across the state met on January 12, 2026, at the Fort Orange Club in Albany to discuss matters of mutual interest and concern.

Chiefs of Police, New York State Police Command Staff and Sheriffs from NYSSA's Executive Committee took part in the meeting. Sheriff attendees included:

• Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple

• Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar

• Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone

• Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting

• Cortland County Sheriff Mark Helms

• Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond

• Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino

• Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood

• Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol

• Oswego County Sheriff Don Hilton

• Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa

• Wayne County Sheriff Robert Milby.

May everyone who works in law enforcement have a successful and safe year!

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