Dutchess County Sheriff Adrian "Butch" Anderson |
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Longtime Dutchess County Sheriff Adrian “Butch” Anderson, 73, died in his sleep overnight on September 28.
Anderson served the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office for more than five decades and was Sheriff for 20 of those years. He was serving his sixth term as sheriff at the time of his death.
"We are all deeply saddened by the passing of Sheriff Anderson," noted Undersheriff Kirk Imperati. "This is a tremendous loss for all of us. Sheriff Anderson faithfully served Dutchess County for over fifty years and dedicated his life to serving and helping others. Sheriff Anderson's strong leadership and deep compassion for people made the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office a leading law enforcement agency in this state."
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Orleans County Deputy Sheriff Named a 2021 Woman of Distinction |
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A Distinctive Deputy – Orleans County Deputy Sheriff Ashleigh Stornelli (right in photo), receives her plaque from New York State Senator Rob Ortt (center), as Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke (left) looks on.
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New York State Senator Rob Ortt has recognized Orleans County Deputy Sheriff Ashleigh Stornelli as his nominee for New York State’s “Women of Distinction” Class of 2021.
Deputy Stornelli is a graduate of Genesee Community College, where she earned her associate degree in criminal justice. She joined the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office in 2018 and currently serves as a School Resource Deputy for the Kendall Central School District. Among her many accomplishments, Stornelli is certified with the Mental Health and Crisis Intervention team.
As local sheriff and police groups work to protect their citizens and enhance reform efforts, Senator Ortt noted that a lot of criticism is being levied at law enforcement agencies. He emphasized the importance of highlighting role models such as Deputy Stornelli.
“It is an honor to receive this award,” Stornelli said. “I want to say thank you to Sheriff Chris Bourke for nominating and believing in me years ago when he let me come to the Sheriff’s Office.”
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National Police Woman's Day 2021 |
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National Police Woman Day is celebrated each year in September. The day acknowledges and celebrates the contribution of female police officers who enforce law and order around the country.
A large number of Sheriff’s Offices throughout New York State noted this day on their social media pages (including the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, pictured), expressing their appreciation for the contributions of female law-enforcement staff. Currently about 10% of the police force in the United States is made up of women.
The New York State Sheriffs' Association thanks all women law-enforcement personnel for their dedication to and protection of the communities they serve.
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NYSAC Recognizes Sheriff Virts |
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With Much Appreciation – At the New York State Association of Counties' fall meeting, the NYSAC Public Safety Committee recognized retiring Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts (pictured, second from right) for his years of dedicated service on the Committee. A Certificate of Appreciation was presented by Chair and Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike (left), with Vice Chairs Matt Veitch (second from left, Saratoga County) and Martha Robertson (right, Tompkins County).
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Orleans County Sheriff Announces Command Staff Changes |
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Orleans County Sheriff Christopher Bourke has appointed Jeffrey Gifaldi (pictured), former Chief Deputy, to the position of Undersheriff, and promoted Robin Riemer to succeed Gifaldi as Chief Deputy of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
Undersheriff Michael Mele retired in August 2021 after more than 22 years of public service.
Undersheriff Gifaldi has over 21 years of experience, including time with the Holley and Albion Police Departments, as well as many years in the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy Sheriff, Criminal Investigator, Accident Reconstruction Specialist, Major Felony Crime Task Force member, Fire Investigator and previously as Chief Deputy.
Chief Deputy Riemer has 34 years’ experience in law enforcement as a Correction Officer in the Orleans County Jail, the Medina Police Department, Brighton Police Department and most recently as a Sergeant in the Criminal Division.
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Honoring Those Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice |
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Remembrance, Reflection and Respect — Standing before the black granite Police Memorial Wall in Albany are (pictured, l to r) Montgomery County Sheriff Jeffrey Smith; NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe, who serves as the Sheriffs’ Association representative on the Police Memorial Advisory Committee; Anne Chapman McLoud, widow of former Cayuga County Undersheriff Steve McLoud; and Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck.
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This year’s ceremony at the New York State Police Officers Memorial on the Rockefeller Plaza in Albany included the recognition of 101 police officers whose names were newly added to the Memorial Wall honoring officers who died in the line of duty in New York.
Eighty-three of those officers died from exposure to carcinogens during recovery efforts related to the World Trade Center attack on 9/11. Among that latest number of 9/11 victims was former Cayuga County Undersheriff Steve McLoud who passed away in August 2019. Also added to the Memorial Wall this year was the name of Montgomery County Deputy Sheriff Ellwood Hanrahan who died in January 1974.
For the first time since the end of Governor Patterson’s tenure, the memorial ceremony was attended by the New York Governor. Governor Kathy Hochul, who also attended each year she was Lieutenant Governor, was present this year to honor the deceased officers and to offer condolences and gratitude to their survivors.
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New Jail Facility Opens in Greene County |
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The Greene County Sheriff's Office recently opened its new jail facility in Coxsackie, NY. The development and completion of the new 98-bed, 80,000-square-foot facility involved a tortuous process.
Greene County reportedly had the oldest county jail in the state, dating back to the 19th Century. Located in Catskill, NY, the original jail was condemned before plans for another facility could be drawn up. For a while, pressure was placed on the Sheriff's Office to permanently house inmates in surrounding county jails rather than create a new facility. Former Sheriff Greg Seeley fought hard to further plans for a new jail situated in Greene County. This took several years to accomplish, but construction began in 2018 on land donated by the State of New York adjoining the Coxsackie prison.
In addition to members of the Greene County Sheriff's Office staff who attended the opening ceremony (pictured above), Columbia County Sheriff David Bartlett and Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueora joined Greene County Sheriff Peter Kusminsky at the event.
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Law Enforcement Supervisors' Training Conference |
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The 2021 Law Enforcement Supervisors’ Training Conference kicks off today and runs through October 27, 2021 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Saratoga Springs, NY. Held in the autumn, the conference provides instruction from the State Division of Criminal Justice Services, the State Civil Service Department, and the Homeland Security Department. Topics covered at recent conferences include: enforcement of laws regarding distracted driving, new laws dealing with human trafficking, handling fatal automobile accidents, and operation of Internal Affairs units. A small number of exhibitors participate in and support the conference each year. Click here for registration and hotel information.
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Jail Administrators' Conference |
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NYSSA’s annual Jail Administrators Conference wrapped up at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, NY after a year’s hiatus due to Covid. Over 130 attendees convened to hear the latest on such topics as providing Medication-Assisted Treatment to inmates, inmate telephone security issues, VINE and order of protection updates and reviews by representatives from NYS Civil Service and Commission of Correction. Attendees also connected with numerous vendors in the nearby exhibit hall.
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Civil Service for Sheriffs – Maria Kenneally (above, left) and Frank Belleville present pertinent information on behalf of the NYS Department of Civil Service.
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Labor-related Advice – Elayne Gold, Esq., (left) labor attorney and Founding Partner of Romer, Wallens, Gold & Mineaux, Albany, NY, provides updates on General Municipal Law § 207-c, employee discipline protocols and procedures and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
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A Full House – Attendees gathered in the main conference hall (above) and checked out vendor products and services in the exhibit hall (below).
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Many county legislatures and boards recognized the contributions of their Sheriff's Offices during 2021 Sheriffs' Week.
Pictured here, former Genesee County Sheriff and current County Legislator, Gary Maha (far left) presents current Sheriff William Sheron with a proclamation from the Genesee County Legislature in recognition of Sheriffs’ Week 2021.
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In fair weather or foul – Sheriffs are always ready to protect and serve, regardless of the weather or time of day.
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