Each May brings recognition of, honors for and attention to the many facets of law enforcement in New York State:

May 4 – 10       

National Corrections Officers Week

May 6

New York State Police Officers Memorial Ceremony

May 6 – 12

National Nurses Week

May 11 – 17

National Peace Officers Week

May 15

National Police Memorial Day

May 1 – 31

Mental Health Awareness Month

The New York State Police Officers Memorial in Albany now includes the names of 1,908 police officers from 155 agencies across the state, as well as six federal agencies. One of the earliest casualties was Columbia County Sheriff Cornelius Hogeboom, who was shot and killed in October 1791 "while serving a writ of ejectment."

The annual ceremony held at the Memorial in Albany on May 6 added the names of four more Sheriff’s Deputies:

Genesee County Sheriff’s Office

Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello (pictured) was working a special assignment detail at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel when he responded to assist security officers with two disruptive patrons. While attempting to take one patron into custody, the other one attacked Sgt. Sanfratello. Both individuals fought the Sergeant, who collapsed during the struggle and died from the altercation.

(EOW: March 10, 2024)

Aligned in Respect – Genesee County Sheriff Joseph Graff (second from left) stands with members of his staff at the State Police Memorial in Albany, where Sergeant Thomas Sanfratello’s name (first line, below) was inscribed on the Police Officers Memorial, honoring his service to the public.

Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office

Lieutenant Michael A. Hoosock (pictured) searched for, and located, a vehicle that had fled a Syracuse Police Department traffic stop earlier in the day. As Syracuse Police arrived at the home where the car was parked, the suspect emerged from a neighboring home, ambushing Lt. Hoosock and Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen, both of whom died from the attack. (EOW: April 14, 2024)

Oswego County Sheriff’s Office

Deputy Cailee R. Campbell (pictured) was responding to an emergency motor vehicle accident in the Town of Palermo, when her vehicle was struck, flipped and landed on its roof. She was unresponsive on scene and transported to the Oswego Hospital Emergency Room where she was pronounced dead. (EOW - September 25, 2024)

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office

An Historic Notation — Fallen Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy Lewis Miles was added to the Police Officer Memorial in Albany. Deputy Miles died from a heart attack while summoning a jury on October 6, 1885.

Pictured (l – r) are Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter – with a rubbing of Deputy Mills’ name engraved on the Memorial, Undersheriff Korey Brown and Lieutenant Michael Anderson.

To all members of Sheriff’s Offices in New York State – past and present – we remember you and thank you for your service.

Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck and Undersheriff Stuart Peenstra joined Columbia County Sheriff Donald Krapf and NYSSA staff at the State Capitol in Albany to meet with members of the State Assembly. They discussed numerous concerns related to public safety, as well as first responder wellness and training requirements for elected Sheriffs. They expressed their thanks to Assemblyman Lemondes, Assemblyman Bendett, Assemblywoman Barrett, and Assemblyman Slater for meeting with them and learning more about the public safety challenges facing Sheriff's Offices today.

Home Turf West – (above, l – r) Cayuga County Undersheriff Stuart Peenstra, Sheriff Brian Schenck, Assemblyman John Lemondes and Columbia County Sheriff Don Krapf at their meeting. Assemblyman Lemondes' district includes a portion of Cayuga County.

Home Turf East – Cayuga County Undersheriff Peenstra, with Sheriffs Krapf and Schenck, met with Assemblyman Scott Bendett (above, second from left) and with Assemblywoman Didi Barrett (below, second from right), both of whom represent portions of Columbia County.

Full Service – Newly appointed United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III met with federal, state and local law enforcement leaders in Albany County to discuss crime-reduction efforts and priorities. Participating groups included representatives of local police departments, regional FBI, New York State Police, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Albany County District Attorney’s Office and Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple (ninth from left).

U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated, “This was a great meeting and I look forward to working with these leaders to make communities safer here in the City of Albany and surrounding cities, towns and villages.”

Attorney Sarcone indicated he plans to hold personal meetings with law enforcement representatives from each of the 32 counties in his district.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is ready to provide basic life support / first response services as a supplement to volunteer and paid ambulance services.



The New York State Health Department has approved the “Fly-Car” system that will allow trained and certified Deputies to be first responders in cases of medical emergencies, observed Sheriff Paul Arteta, who noted that with the number of Deputies out on the road, there may be gaps of services in certain towns without a volunteer ambulance corps.

The Sheriff’s Office hopes to fill those gaps in these areas while staff are out on regular patrol, performing their jobs as Deputy Sheriffs, while also accessible to calls for needed life support services.

The Office is starting its program with one vehicle equipped with the necessary equipment to respond to a medical emergency.

The New York State Sheriffs' Institute and Summer Camp is collaborating with the advertising firm Dixon Schwabl + Company to create a powerful video highlighting the urgent need for wellness initiatives and a dedicated retreat for first responders across New York (see architect rendition below), to be built at the summer camp.

Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa (pictured, left) and Steuben County Sheriff James Allard are participating in this important project, which will focus on the well being of those who serve our communities every day.

Food with Fellowship – Pictured above, left to right, are Fulton County Sheriff Rich Giardino; Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, who was the guest speaker at the Fulton County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff's Association Appreciation Breakfast; Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo; Rensselaer County Sheriff Kyle Bourgault and Montgomery County Sheriff Jeff Smith. Sheriff Zurlo was presented a plaque by Sheriff Giardino for his service and assistance to the Fulton County Sheriff's Office with accident reconstruction and lake rescue and recovery among other incidents. Over 125 guests, including Sheriff’s Office staff, retirees and service award recipients accompanied by their families, were in attendance. Representatives from various Veterans Organizations and elected and appointed officials were also on hand, as well as members of the Pine Tree Rifle Club who generously donate through the Annual K9 Ride they sponsor every year.

Blue, Never Broken – From the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page: “The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our sincere thanks to Blue Friday New York for organizing another amazing event this year and for welcoming us to be part of it.

“Blue Friday New York is an incredible organization with an important mission — honoring the sacrifice of fallen law enforcement officers and supporting their families. We are proud to stand alongside them and all those who continue to serve.”

Blue Friday is a non-profit organization providing resources needed by the families or co-workers of law enforcement officers killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.

Pictured above (left to fright) are Warren County Sheriff Jim LaFarr, Montgomery County Sheriff Jeff Smith, Fulton County Sheriff Rich Giardino and Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo.

Nice Ice - From the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page: “The Sheriff's Office brought home the trophy at Saturday’s Hockey for Hope Charity Hockey Game, breaking a 2-2 tie to defeat the New York Cancer Foundation! Congratulations to the Suffolk Sheriff Hockey Team on your win!”

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr., an avid hockey player, is pictured second from right, ready for the puck drop.

Schenectady County Sheriff's Office Jail Division is Accredited

From the Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page:

“It was an Honor to be recognized by the New York State Sheriffs' Association for achieving accredited status for their Civil Division.

“Join us in congratulating Sheriff Dominic Dagostino, Undersheriff Jim Barrett and the entire team for their commitment to excellence. The Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office is one of 35 Sheriff's Offices statewide to achieve accreditations for all three divisions: Corrections, Road Patrol, and Civil.

"County Legislator Thomas Constantine (pictured, right) presents Sheriff Dagostino with a proclamation to recognize this important milestone.”

Jail Division at Tioga County Sheriff's Office is Reaccredited

The Tioga County Sheriff’s Office Jail / Corrections Division was recently presented a plaque by the New York State Sheriff's Association in recognition of its successful reaccreditation.

The Division achieved full compliance, reflecting an exceptional commitment to excellence and professionalism in the field of corrections. This accomplishment highlights the Division’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards of operation and service.

Pictured are Tioga County Sheriff Gary Howard (left) and Lieutenant Chad Edwards.

Rockland County Sheriff's Office Civil Division is Reaccredited

New York State Sheriffs' Association Executive Director Peter R. Kehoe and President James B. Quattrone traveled to Rockland County to present Sheriff Louis Falco III with the NYSSA reaccreditation plaque for the Civil Enforcement Division.

This Division has maintained its accreditation since 2010, and is one of 15 Sheriff’s Offices in New York State that have all four of their Divisions accredited (Civil, Communications / PSAP, Patrol and Corrections).

Per a statement posted on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page: “The impact of accreditation and the commitment of the employees of the Sheriff’s Office provide the best possible services to the communities we serve and creates greater public confidence in the Sheriff’s Office.”

Pictured (l – r) are Chautauqua County Sheriff and NYSSA President James Quattrone, NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe and Rockland County Sheriff Louis Falco III.

New Accreditation for Montgomery County Sheriff's Office

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Civil Division achieved a milestone with accreditation through the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, joining roughly half of all Sheriff’s Offices across the state that have received accreditation for their Civil Divisions.

“We're certainly proud of that, and we're certainly proud of the direction that we're all headed in,” Sheriff Jeffery Smith (pictured at right) said. “It establishes that our Civil Division is following the highest level of standards that are out there to perform our job duties each and every day for the constituents.”

The Sheriff’s Office now has three accredited divisions - Civil, Emergency Services and Road Patrol – and staff are actively working towards accreditation for the two remaining areas: the 911 Dispatch Center and the Corrections Division.

With Sheriff Smith is NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe.

Orange County Sheriff's Office Civil Division is now Accredited

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office received accreditation for its Civil Division from the New York State Sheriffs’ Association (NYSSA).

Orange County Sheriff Paul Arteta addressed the County Legislature and public attendees at the recognition ceremony. He noted that achieving Civil Division Accreditation has been one of his primary goals for the Office since taking office in 2023.

“Many people have a limited understanding of the vital role that civil enforcement plays in upholding the legal system,” said Sheriff Arteta. “Our Civil Office serves as a bridge between the courts and the public. We are proud to be one of the 31 Sheriff’s Offices that have received this designation. I want to thank the Orange County Legislature for their continued support of the Sheriff’s Office and our mission, and I thank my employees for their continued work and dedication,”

Pictured above (l – r) are Undersheriff Will Garcia, Orange County Legislature Chairman Kevin Hines, Sheriff Paul Arteta, Undersheriff Evelyn Mallard, and NYSSA Associate Counsel Alex Wilson, who presented the Sheriff with a plaque to recognize this achievement.

Civil Supervisors Training Conference | May 21 – 23

Each year, civil supervisors from around the state attend the Civil Supervisors Training Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY. This training conference focuses on best practices for the service of process of funds handled for the County.

Presentations cover such issues as new technology, case law and statute updates, handling and preserving public records, and working with county and state accounting agencies to make sure that all records are accurately maintained. Click the link above for more information and to register.

Undersheriffs Training Conference | June 18 – 20

The Undersheriffs Training Conference will be held in Saratoga Springs, NY. Undersheriffs in many Counties are primarily responsible for administrative matters in the Sheriff’s Office. This Conference provides training in such areas as labor management, employee discipline, and management of employee benefits (such as disability payments, family, health and military leave). Training also focuses on managing the major divisions of the Sheriff’s Office — Law Enforcement, County Jail, Civil Division and Court Security.

National Sheriffs' Association Annual Conference | June 23 – 26

Over four action-packed days, attendees can immerse themselves in expertly curated seminars and educational sessions. Topics include cutting-edge advancements in recruitment and retention, jail operations, officer wellness, and emerging law enforcement technologies, among many others. Don’t miss this unparalleled opportunity to learn, network, and elevate your impact in the field.

As the largest event of its kind, this Conference features a dynamic trade show showcasing the latest products and equipment designed to support every aspect of law enforcement, from patrol operations and jail management to prisoner transport and courtroom security.

Sheriffs Summer Training Conference | July 14 – 17

This year’s Conference is at the Fort William Henry Hotel, in Lake George, NY, hosted by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. Programs address current issues impacting Law Enforcement, Corrections, Court Security, and Civil Matters with emphasis on analysis of new laws passed in the previous legislative session. Sheriffs also meet informally with one another and the presenters in attendance to discuss individual county issues.

For Your Viewing Pleasure

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office has produced a humorous and educational video on “The Dos and the Don’ts of How to Behave around a Sheriff’s K-9.”

Take a few minutes to check it out. Your K-9 team will appreciate this!