NYSSA and NSA Wrap Up their Winter Conferences |
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The New York State Sheriffs’ Association held its 90th Annual Winter Training Conference in Albany last month, followed soon after by the National Sheriffs’ Association Winter Conference in Washington, DC. Below are highlights from both events.
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New York State Sheriffs' Association Winter Training Conference |
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Speakers included representatives from the New York State Commission of Corrections, the Division of Criminal Justice Services and the League of Women Voters. |
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To Do and Not To Do – Attorney Elaine Gold (pictured above left) led an engaging discussion on Tackling Employee Relations Issues in the Sheriff’s Office.
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Speaking from Experience – Sheriff Kieran Donahue (above) of Canyon County, Idaho, and First Vice President of the National Sheriffs’ Association, spoke on Mexican Cartels and the Battle for Control of Our Borders.
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Time to Be Heard – Warren County Sheriff Jim LaFarr (above) signals his wish to make a comment during a presentation.
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Deputies of the Year_____________________________________________
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With so many outstanding nominees, the Selection Committee decided to recognize multiple candidates as Deputies of the Year: |
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Putnam County
Deputy Sheriff Shane Haley (left) and
Senior Investigator Randel Hill
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Saratoga County
Deputy Jeffrey Simpson (at left) and
Deputy Robert Whipple
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Warren County
Sargent Pasquale "Rocky" Girard (left) and
Deputy Nikklas Milligan
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Carl Draxler Award_____________________________________________
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Chautauqua County Correction Officer Tara Graves (pictured) was presented with the Carl Draxler Award for her exceptional achievement, demonstrated by her conscientious devotion to duty and a spirit of selfless public service – qualities that were exemplified by the Award’s namesake, the late Chemung County Sheriff Carl Draxler.
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Correction Officer of the Year_____________________________________
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This year’s award was presented to Chautauqua County Corrections Officer Keri Genthner (pictured) for extraordinary valor and heroism above and beyond the normal call of duty, and for demonstrating exceptional dedication and leadership.
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Sheriff Colleen O'Neil Award______________________________________
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Putnam County Sheriff’s Senior Investigator Corrine Pitt (pictured) was presented with the Sheriff Colleen O’Neil Award, established in 2022 to honor a female officer who has contributed to both the advancement of women in law enforcement and the advancement of the Office of Sheriff. Former Jefferson County Sheriff O’Neil was the first elected female Sheriff in New York State history.
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Innovative Program Award________________________________________
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The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office was chosen as this year’s Innovative Program Awardee for its EMT / Paramedic Program. Accepting are Undersheriff John McNelis (at left) and Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard.
This award recognizes a Sheriff’s Office for developing and implementing an outstanding specialized program that benefits their community and has potential to be implemented by Sheriffs around the state. See the related story further below on the origin of this program.
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Sheriff Ronald G. Spike School Resource Officer of the Year___________
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The Sheriff Ronald G. Spike School Resource Officer of the Year was awarded to Chautauqua County Deputy Sheriff Brian Hanner (pictured). |
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Civil Officer of the Year___________________________________________
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Rockland County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy and Chief Civil Administrator Dennis Salemo (pictured) was recognized as Civil Officer of the Year. The Award honors a Civil Deputy who has exhibited exceptional dedication and leadership over the course of their career to civil law enforcement, either in their own County or statewide through involvement in training and accreditation programs.
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Grover Cleveland Award__________________________________________
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Tioga County Sheriff Gary Howard (above) provides remarks after he was announced as the recipient of the Grover Cleveland Award. This is the Institute’s most prestigious award, named for the only Sheriff to serve as President of the United States. Sheriff Howard was recently elected to a sixth term, and has over 30 years of experience with the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office. Prior to being elected Sheriff in 2004, he had served as a Corrections Officer, Road Patrol Deputy, Patrol Shift Supervisor, Criminal Investigator and Senior Investigator.
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The Institute’s Annual Awards Ceremony is a celebration of the spirit, commitment and bravery that these law enforcement professionals bring to their work every day. Each award is a symbol of their unwavering dedication to serving and protecting our communities. Congratulations to all award winners.
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NYSSA 2024 Officers and Executive Committee Are Sworn In |
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The swearing in of elected officers and executive leadership took place at the Conference. Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond was elected as President of the New York State Sheriffs' Association. |
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The Oath – Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond (far left) is sworn in by the Honorable Judge John L. Hubbard (far right) of Delaware County. Holding the Bible is Sheriff DuMond’s wife Karleen, with New York State Governor Kathy Hochul second from right.
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All Together Now – Sheriffs (above) are sworn in by Judge Hubbard as a group to their respective leadership roles, shown below.
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Executive Leadership____________________________________________
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Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone
1st Vice President
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Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa
2nd Vice President
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Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood
3rd Vice President
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Wayne County Sheriff Robert Milby
Secretary
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Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino
Treasurer
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Rockland County Sheriff Louis Falco III
Sergeant at Arms
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Executive Committee____________________________________________
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Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting Chairman |
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Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple |
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Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey J. Murphy |
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Cattaraugus County Sheriff
Timothy S. Whitcomb
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Cortland County Sheriff Mark E. Helms |
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Oneida County Sheriff Robert M. Maciol |
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Livingston County Sheriff Thomas Dougherty |
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Trustees_______________________________________________________
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Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar II |
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Oswego County Sheriff Don Hilton |
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Genesee County Sheriff William Sheron, Jr. |
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Notable NYSSA Conference Guests |
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New York State Governor Kathy Hochul |
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New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli |
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Top-Level Support – State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli was another featured guest, addressing Sheriffs on the importance of fiscal integrity within their Offices. Above (l – r) Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting, NYSSA President / Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond, NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe and Comptroller DiNapoli. (Photo courtesy of OSC)
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National Sheriffs' Association Winter Conference |
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The NSA Winter conference was held February 3 – 6 and featured numerous presentations on timely topics, as well as opportunities for Sheriffs to visit several New York State Congressional representatives on Capitol Hill.
Seven Sheriffs from throughout New York State attended the Conference – Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone, Cortland County Sheriff Mark Helms, Delaware County Sheriff and NYSSA President Craig DuMond, Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard, Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa and Wayne County Sheriff Robert Milby.
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Busy on the Hill – Sheriffs DuMond, Figueroa, Milby and Quattrone served as a team representing NYSSA to various Congressional leaders, including Pat Ryan of the 18th Congressional District (above center), Marcus Molinaro of the 19th District (below, second from left) . . .
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. . . and Elise Stefanik of the 21st District (above center).
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Why Steuben County Sheriff's Office Staff Have EMT Certification |
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The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office covers 1,400 square miles, an area larger than the State of Rhode Island. Rural counties have their share of challenges, including the time it takes for medical first responders to travel greater distances and provide their services. |
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The breaking point for Sheriff James Allard was an ambulance request for a mother in labor. She waited more than 90 minutes, then had to get herself to the hospital.
“We started looking at ambulance times of an hour, hour and a half to get someone to a facility where they could get treatment,” says Sheriff Allard (pictured). “I am a father and a grandfather and I’m thinking what if that was my family member, my daughter, my wife,” he says. “I would be frantic. We can do better.”
That’s when he insisted all of his deputies take the 120 hours of training to become certified EMTs.
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“There was some initial pushback from the EMS community because this was new and it was a change,” noted Sheriff Allard. “Once we explained to them, ‘Hey we just want to keep them alive until you can get there as the professionals with the ambulance,’ they were all about it.”
Every Deputy has now become certified and carries EMT supplies in the back of the patrol car. Deputies have 59 documented saves since the program started in 2019. It is for this reason the program was recognized last month with the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute Innovative Program Award.
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NYSSA in Partnership with DAASNY |
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Counsels in Conference – Last month, representatives from NYSSA and the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York (DAASNY) met to discuss issues confronting both organizations. From left to right, John Flynn, DAASNY President, DAASNY Executive Director Morgan Bitton, Albany County Sheriff and then-NYSSA President Craig Apple, NYSSA Executive Director Peter Kehoe and NYSSA Associate Counsel Alex Wilson.
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The Committee on Policing and Safeguarding Schools has announced its third annual C-PASS School Safety Training Conference and Networking Dinner, a four-day event at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs. This is the premier training event for School Resource Officers and School Resource Deputies in New York State. Don’t miss it!
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Unspoken Support – Saratoga County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Whipple clasps colleague Deputy Jeffrey Simpson on the shoulder after they both received recognition as the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute Deputy of the Year. To hear more about their heroism, click here and listen at 41:05.
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