Sheriffs Begin a New and Challenging Year |
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Albany County Sheriff's Office Assists with COVID Vaccinations |
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The Albany County Sheriff’s Office EMS Division and local volunteer healthcare professionals will be administering the COVID-19 vaccine to Albany County residents through a pilot drive-through vaccination point-of-dispensing (POD) program.
Sheriff Craig Apple (pictured) reached out to the Governor’s Office and the State Department of Health to see if his office could help administer the COVID-19 vaccine locally. “We’re completely autonomous and now we can start pumping out that vaccine. Within 36 hours, we had our POD, we had our own link to the NAICS number which is where the data has to go. We are going to be drop shipped our own vaccine,” said Sheriff Apple.
The Albany County Sheriff’s office has already received 200 doses of the vaccine, which are all booked for first responders and front-line workers. The drive-through vaccination POD program will help many residents in the rural parts of Albany County.
Sheriff Apple’s goal is to help everyone across the county. “I don’t care where you’re from, if you fit within the categories call us, and we’ll get you the shot. I am not going to target and say just this area; I want to get as many vaccinations out there as possible,” noted Sheriff Apple.
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Sheriff Leadership Update |
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Paul Higgitt, Jr., is the New Rensselaer County Undersheriff |
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A New Undersheriff for 2021 – Sheriff Patrick Russo (left) introduces Undersheriff Paul J. Higgitt, Jr.
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Paul Higgitt, Jr., was sworn in as Rensselaer County's new Undersheriff on December 31, 2020. Higgitt succeeds Edward Bly, who recently retired.
Undersheriff Higgitt brings with him many years of experience in both the military and in law enforcement. A retired Army Sergeant Major, he previously served in the Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division, rising to Correctional Lieutenant, before leaving to join the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. Upon his return to the Sheriff’s Office as Undersheriff, Higgitt said, "I'm hoping to bring my knowledge and past experiences to the Office and build a rapport with other offices.”
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Sheron Sworn in as Sheriff, Mazur as Undersheriff for Genesee County - Again |
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Sheriff Bill Sheron has been sworn in for his second term as Genesee County Sheriff. Sheriff Sheron began his career with the Office in 1977 as a 9-1-1 Dispatcher and rose through the ranks, including 21 years as Undersheriff, before being first elected Sheriff in 2016.
At the same time, Bradley D. Mazur was again sworn in as Genesee County Undersheriff. He began his career with the Office in 1999 and has held several positions: as Deputy Sheriff, Sergeant, and for the last two years as Undersheriff.
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Second Time Around – (l to r) The Hon. Thomas A. Graham, wife Shari Sheron, Sheriff William A. Sheron, Jr., and daughter Marissa Sheron at the swearing-in ceremony.
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Ontario County Welcomes a New Chief Deputy |
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Congratulations Are in Order – Ontario County Sheriff Kevin Henderson (left) has promoted Lieutenant John Falbo to Chief Deputy. Chief Deputy Falbo will be third in command at the Sheriff’s Office and will oversee the operations of the road patrol.
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Delaware County Earns Civil Division Accreditation |
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Accreditation Accomplished — (l to r) Civil Clerk Tammy Wagner, Civil Clerk Ashley Allen, Civil Officer Robert Mantzouratos, Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond, Civil Corporal Daniel McGowan, Sergeant Kim Smith and NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe celebrate the Civil Division's accreditation.
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Sheriff Craig DuMond and the Delaware County Sheriff's Office was honored before the Delaware County Board of Supervisors on the occasion of accreditation of the Sheriff's Office Civil Division. NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe described for the Board the earnest effort necessary for a Sheriff's Office to earn a civil accreditation. Additionally, Corporal Dan McGowan, Civil Office Supervisor, was presented a certificate of commendation for his work in leading the accreditation process for the Civil Division. Sergeant Kim Smith, accreditation manager for the Law Enforcement Division, assisted Corporal McGowan in the civil accreditation effort and also received a certificate of commendation from the Sheriff.
Sheriff DuMond especially commended Corporal McGowan for his tireless efforts and work in preparing the Civil Division for accreditation. “I’m blessed by an awesome team that strives to uphold the honor of the Office of Sheriff,” DuMond noted.
The Delaware County Sheriff's Office also maintains accreditation of its Law Enforcement Division through the NYS Law Enforcement Accreditation Council and is working to accredit all eligible divisions.
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Orange County Sheriff’s Office Honors Staff Member for Contributions toward Accreditation |
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Well Deserved for Work Well Done – Orange County Sheriff Carl DuBois (second from right) presents the John Kimball O’Neil Certificate of Achievement to Investigator Hector Hernandez (center). Also pictured (far left) are Chief Deputy Dennis Barry, Undersheriff Kenneth Jones and (far right) Assistant Undersheriff Anthony Weed.
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Orange County Sheriff Carl DuBois and his Command Staff recently honored Investigator Hector Hernandez for having received the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services John Kimball O’Neil Certificate of Achievement, recognizing his outstanding efforts as program manager for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation Program. The award is named after John Kimball O’Neil, a 25-year member of the DCJS staff who died in 2005. |
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Fulton County Sheriff Appears on Fox News - Again |
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Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino recently served on a nationally televised panel of law-enforcement experts discussing last year's shooting of Jacob Blake by a Kenosha, Wisconsin police officer who recently was cleared of all charges by the local District Attorney's office.
The Sheriff was one of three panelists appearing with Fox News anchor Brian Kilmeade on January 6 to review the controversial ruling. When asked by Kilmeade if this was the correct decision by the DA, Sheriff Giardino, a former District Attorney and County Judge, said, "Absolutely the correct decision. He's got to be fair and firm and he's got to do what he's ethically bound to do. I give him a lot of credit, he did the right thing, he reviewed everything, they did not yield to public pressure. We've got to acknowledge that it's a tragedy for everyone involved, but the police did not escalate the situation."
Sheriff Giardino's presence on the program and his remarks were complimented by sheriffs from across New York State for the fair and reasoned approach he took, and for the professional image of the Office of the Sheriff he portrayed.
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Orleans County Sheriff Honors Two with Lifesaver Award |
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Teamwork Rewarded –
(l to r) Undersheriff Michael Mele, Sheriff Christopher Bourke, Investigator Kevin Colonna, Trooper Scott Gregson and SP Sergeant Glenn Rigerman.
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Orleans County Sheriff Christopher Bourke presented a Lifesaver Award to Trooper Scott Gregson and Sheriff’s Investigator Kevin Colonna for their quick action which saved the life of a man suffering from cardiac arrest.
Trooper Gregson had been dispatched to an incident at a local Walmart to interview a 77-year-old male. During the interview the male slowly sat down, leaned over face first and grabbed his chest. Gregson called the dispatch center and requested an ambulance. Investigator Colonna quickly arrived on the scene.
The man was by then unresponsive and not breathing. Gregson and Colonna began chest compressions and deployed an automated external defibrillator. A shock was given and the man, who began breathing and had a faint pulse, was taken by medics to a Rochester hospital.
“The quick, decisive actions of Trooper Gregson and Sheriff’s Investigator Kevin Colonna, without doubt, saved the life of another human being,” Bourke said. “The seamless coordination and quick response by these law enforcement officers serves to exemplify the great working relationship that exists between the New York State Police and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office."
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On the Road Saving Hearts (and Lives)
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Heart to heart – Dr. Frankel (left) of CardiovascularTesting.com shows NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe testing equipment and facilities inside the mobile lab.
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For the last several years, Cardiologist Perry Frankel has concentrated his career on saving the lives of police officers and other first responders. Dr. Frankel says it all began when, during a routine exam, his team detected severe blockages to the heart of a Lieutenant in the Mount Vernon Police Department. Immediate surgery and the placement of three stents undoubtedly saved the Lieutenant’s life. That officer is today the Commissioner of the Mount Vernon PD.
Recognizing the stress and lifestyle demands of first responders, and their negative impact on heart health, Dr. Frankel began working to bring lifesaving mobile screenings to public safety agencies. To date he has worked with over 100 first responder agencies, including several Sheriffs’ offices, and feels he has prevented many strokes, heart attacks and ruptured aneurysms through detection and intervention.
Dr. Frankel had intended to bring his mobile testing units to NYSSA's now-postponed Winter Training Conference, to do screenings for interested Sheriffs, and hopefully he will be able to do so when the conference is rescheduled. Any Sheriff who is interested in having the mobile cardio testing unit visit his or her agency can contact Dr. Frankel at 516-488-5050, info@cardiovasculartesting.com. There is no cost to the agency and the testing is covered by most employee health plans.
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Ready to Roll – An outside view of the mobile lab, which holds seven testing stations. The lab has already provided services to nearly 100 law-enforcement agencies across the state.
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Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Loses One of its Own to COVID |
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A member of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office staff lost his battle with coronavirus in December.
"It is with heavy hearts that the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office announces the passing of Investigator Sergeant Keith Allison," noted Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon, who added that Allison had been hospitalized with serious COVID-19 complications.
Investigator Sgt. Allison (pictured) launched his career with the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office in 1995 and celebrated his 25th year of service in February 2020. He became the commanding officer of the Personnel Investigations Bureau and was promoted to Investigator Sergeant in 2018.
"Because of his long tenure with the Personnel Investigations Bureau, Investigator Sergeant Allison helped many of the current Sheriff's Office employees through the hiring process. He will be missed by all," Toulon said.
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Former NSA President Dies |
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Hampton, VA Sheriff B.J. Roberts, who planned to retire this month, died peacefully at home after celebrating Christmas with his family, the sheriff’s department said.
Roberts, 70, will be remembered as Virginia’s longest-serving sheriff and as the first African American to serve as president of the National Sheriffs Association in 2010 – 2011. The cause of death was unknown.
Sheriff Roberts was well known and well liked for his always-pleasant personality by the New York Sheriffs, who came to know him through the many National Sheriffs' Association conferences at which he was always present.
Roberts had planned to retire about 10 months before his term was to expire in November 2021. His unexpected death prompted responses via Social Media from New York State Sheriffs past and present:
“Sheriff Toulon & the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office offer our deepest condolences to the men & women of the Hampton, VA Sheriff’s Office on the passing of Sheriff B.J. Roberts. Sheriff Roberts, VA's longest serving Sheriff.”
— Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr.
“Saddened by the passing of my friend Sheriff BJ Roberts, who I first met 25 years ago @ NSI. My thoughts & prayers are w/ his family & friends, & the 500 men & women of the Hampton VA Sheriff’s Office. RIP brother.”
— Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike
“Going to miss Sheriff BJ Roberts from Hampton, Virginia. Always a smile. RIP sir.”
— Former Niagara County Sheriff Jim Voutour
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Discretion with Compassion — Part of a Sheriff's Job |
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During a recent audit of body camera video, command staff at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office discovered an incident where Deputy Dale Quesnel (pictured) used discretion with compassion. He had stopped a woman for speeding who explained she was hurrying to the food pantry before it closed to get free diapers.
Deputy Quesnel returned to his car with license and registration in hand. After a brief moment, and considering her situation of not being able to afford diapers, let alone a speeding ticket, he went back to the woman's car and asked her to follow him to a local store where he bought her some diapers, with his own money. He didn't tell anyone about this, and he didn't do it for praise. These types of police encounters happen all across this country on a regular basis, but they usually don't make the news.
Washington County Sheriff Jeff Murphy mentioned this story to 113th District Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner who wrote Dale a letter noting that "kindness is not what you do, but who you are."
Using discretion with compassion, the cornerstone of community policing.
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Santa is Not the Only One Who Watches |
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While a humorous rendition, DWI is nothing to laugh about. Thank you to members of sheriffs’ road patrols throughout New York State who work hard to keep its citizens safe.
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New York State Sheriffs' Association | 518-434-9091 | www.nysheriffs.org |
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