Erie County, New York Sheriff's Office
Encyclopedia
The Erie County Sheriff's Office is Erie County
's oldest law enforcement agency.
The Office of the Sheriff is the oldest office under the system of common law in the United States and is an integral part of government in the State of New York.
As the oldest constitutional law enforcement officer of the county, the Sheriff is charged with maintaining the peace in all municipalities, villages, and towns within his jurisdiction and the care and custody of persons pending court action. The Sheriff also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Courts.
The powers and the duties of the Sheriff are embodied in the constitution of each state and, as such, the Sheriff of Erie County heads the largest Sheriff's Office in New York State and the fourteenth largest in the nation.
United States
President
Grover Cleveland
began his political career as Sheriff of Erie County in 1871. He went on to become Mayor
of the City of Buffalo
, Governor
of the State of New York
and President.
The Erie County Sheriff is, as most of more than 3,000 sheriffs in the United States, an elected official. He is elected to a term of office for four years, must devote full time to his duties, and may not hold any other public office.
The men and women, within the various divisions of the sheriff's Office, provide a wide range of services to the County's residents. In addition to 1058 mi2 of land area, Erie County has 90 miles (144.8 km) of shoreline, the waters of which also come under the jurisdiction of the Office.
The Police Services Division is charged with law enforcement duties, traffic enforcement, crime prevention and service to the citizens of Erie County. The Police Services Division is headquartered in Chestnut Ridge Park at 1 Sheriff's Dr., Orchard Park, New York 14127. The Sheriff's Office maintains substations in the towns of Grand Island
, Clarence
, Alden
, Elma
, Colden
, Sardinia
and Collins
, along with the Villages of Springville
and North Collins
.
This deployment of personnel ensures rapid response to the needs and concerns of the citizens of Erie County, which encompasses 1058 mi2. In addition to the familiar red and white patrols of the county, many unique services are provided, some of which are outlined below.
Its purpose and function is to serve and execute the various legal processes issued by and for the several non-criminal courts of New York State and for jurisdictions of other states and countries throughout the world.
The Civil Division is the enforcement vehicle for all courts, including small claims, city, county, state and federal jurisdictions.
The original building was demolished in 1937 to allow the construction of a new jail designed to house 156 inmates. The new jail, boasted as the most modern in the country, was opened in 1938. This building constitutes the nucleus of today's building.
The Erie County Holding Center is a pre-trial, maximum security, detention facility. It is the second largest detention facility in the State of New York, outside of New York City. The Erie County Holding Center is capable of housing 680 inmates remanded to the custody of the Sheriff of Erie County. The facility is a combination of "New Generation Jail" pods and open bay construction and the traditional linear type cells. Over-flow inmates are housed at the Holding Center Annex at the Erie County Correctional Facility.
The Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden, New York is a medium security facility which presently can hold 1070 inmates of various classifications. The facility is a combination of "New Generation Jail" pods and open bay construction. This style facility has been found to be safer for both staff and inmates.
The facility maintains several programs to enhance rehabilitation. There is a full-time school program maintained by the Alden School District, which assists inmates in attaining an education, which will assist them after release.
The Erie County Correctional Facility also serves as a "safety valve" for the Erie County Holding Center, when that facility reaches capacity. The facility also holds parole violators for the State of New York prior to final hearings for re-incarceration in state facilities.
Erie County Sheriff's Office Court Division personnel also provide physical security of the buildings which house those courts. This includes the screening of all individuals entering the courthouses and the operation of magnetometers and metal detectors at all entrances.
Erie County Sheriff's Office Court Division personnel provide security escorts for defendants from the Erie County Holding Center to the various courts for legal proceedings.
Erie County, New York
Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 919,040. The county seat is Buffalo. The county's name comes from Lake Erie, which in turn comes from the Erie tribe of American Indians who lived south and east of the lake before 1654.Erie...
's oldest law enforcement agency.
The Office of the Sheriff is the oldest office under the system of common law in the United States and is an integral part of government in the State of New York.
As the oldest constitutional law enforcement officer of the county, the Sheriff is charged with maintaining the peace in all municipalities, villages, and towns within his jurisdiction and the care and custody of persons pending court action. The Sheriff also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Courts.
The powers and the duties of the Sheriff are embodied in the constitution of each state and, as such, the Sheriff of Erie County heads the largest Sheriff's Office in New York State and the fourteenth largest in the nation.
History
On February 4, 1821, John G. Camp was appointed as the first Sheriff of the district, which at that time encompassed both Erie and Niagara County. After the district of Erie County was established, Camp remained in office as the Sheriff of Erie County until December 31, 1822.United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
began his political career as Sheriff of Erie County in 1871. He went on to become Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of the City of Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of the State of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and President.
The Erie County Sheriff is, as most of more than 3,000 sheriffs in the United States, an elected official. He is elected to a term of office for four years, must devote full time to his duties, and may not hold any other public office.
The men and women, within the various divisions of the sheriff's Office, provide a wide range of services to the County's residents. In addition to 1058 mi2 of land area, Erie County has 90 miles (144.8 km) of shoreline, the waters of which also come under the jurisdiction of the Office.
Police Services Division
Uniformed law enforcement officers in the distinctive red & white patrol vehicles represent the most visible Division, the Police Services Division.The Police Services Division is charged with law enforcement duties, traffic enforcement, crime prevention and service to the citizens of Erie County. The Police Services Division is headquartered in Chestnut Ridge Park at 1 Sheriff's Dr., Orchard Park, New York 14127. The Sheriff's Office maintains substations in the towns of Grand Island
Grand Island, New York
Grand Island is a town and an island in Erie County, New York, USA. As of the 2010 census, the town population is 20,374. This represents an increase of 9.41% from the 2000 census figure . The current town name derives from the French name La Grande Île, as Grand Island is the largest island in...
, Clarence
Clarence, New York
Clarence is a town located in the northeastern part of Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 30,673 according to the 2010 census. This represents an increase of 17.42% from the 2000 census figure . Clarence is also the name of a postal district in the south part of the town...
, Alden
Alden, New York
Alden, New York may refer to one of the following locations in Erie County, New York:*Alden , New York*Alden , New York...
, Elma
Elma, New York
Elma is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 11,304 at the 2000 census. The town is named after a type of tree.The Town of Elma is located in the north-central part of the county, east of Buffalo, New York. Because of its location, Elma likes to refer to itself as the...
, Colden
Colden, New York
Colden is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 3,323 at the 2000 census. The town derives its name from John Caldwalder D. Colden, a state senator.The Town of Colden is an interior town in the south part of the county...
, Sardinia
Sardinia, New York
Sardinia, New York is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The town lies in the southeast corner of Erie County and is considered one of the county's "Southtowns." The town is southeast of Buffalo. The population was 2,692 at the 2000 census...
and Collins
Collins, New York
Collins is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The town is on the south border of the county and is considered to be one of the "Southtowns" of Erie County. The population indicated by the 2000 census was 8,307. The population for 2007 is estimated at 7,092, a loss of 1,215...
, along with the Villages of Springville
Springville, New York
Springville is a village in the southeast part of the town of Concord in Erie County, New York, United States. Springville is the principal community in the town and a major business location in south Erie County. The population was 4,252 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara...
and North Collins
North Collins, New York
North Collins is the name of both a town and a village in New York:*North Collins , New York*North Collins , New York...
.
This deployment of personnel ensures rapid response to the needs and concerns of the citizens of Erie County, which encompasses 1058 mi2. In addition to the familiar red and white patrols of the county, many unique services are provided, some of which are outlined below.
Civil Division
The Erie County Sheriff's Civil Division was the first Civil Division certified as "Professionally Accredited" in New York State. The Civil Process Division is a state mandated service provided by all Sheriff's Offices throughout New York State.Its purpose and function is to serve and execute the various legal processes issued by and for the several non-criminal courts of New York State and for jurisdictions of other states and countries throughout the world.
The Civil Division is the enforcement vehicle for all courts, including small claims, city, county, state and federal jurisdictions.
Correction facilities
The Erie County Holding Center in the City of Buffalo began as a jail "plainly built of Graystone" in 1877. It was built to house individuals awaiting trial and those convicted on minor charges. At that time, the facility housed about 30 prisoners.The original building was demolished in 1937 to allow the construction of a new jail designed to house 156 inmates. The new jail, boasted as the most modern in the country, was opened in 1938. This building constitutes the nucleus of today's building.
The Erie County Holding Center is a pre-trial, maximum security, detention facility. It is the second largest detention facility in the State of New York, outside of New York City. The Erie County Holding Center is capable of housing 680 inmates remanded to the custody of the Sheriff of Erie County. The facility is a combination of "New Generation Jail" pods and open bay construction and the traditional linear type cells. Over-flow inmates are housed at the Holding Center Annex at the Erie County Correctional Facility.
The Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden, New York is a medium security facility which presently can hold 1070 inmates of various classifications. The facility is a combination of "New Generation Jail" pods and open bay construction. This style facility has been found to be safer for both staff and inmates.
The facility maintains several programs to enhance rehabilitation. There is a full-time school program maintained by the Alden School District, which assists inmates in attaining an education, which will assist them after release.
The Erie County Correctional Facility also serves as a "safety valve" for the Erie County Holding Center, when that facility reaches capacity. The facility also holds parole violators for the State of New York prior to final hearings for re-incarceration in state facilities.
Court Division
The Erie County Sheriff's Office Court Division's primary responsibility is to provide for the safety, security, order and dignity in the courts and courthouses.Erie County Sheriff's Office Court Division personnel also provide physical security of the buildings which house those courts. This includes the screening of all individuals entering the courthouses and the operation of magnetometers and metal detectors at all entrances.
Erie County Sheriff's Office Court Division personnel provide security escorts for defendants from the Erie County Holding Center to the various courts for legal proceedings.
Accreditation
In 1986, the Sheriff's Office was accredited by the New York State Sheriff's Association and, in 1990, became one of the first police agencies in Western New York to be certified by the State of New York as an Accredited Law Enforcement Agency.Fallen officers
Since the establishment of the Erie County Sheriff Office, 4 officers have died in the line of duty.| Officer | Date of Death | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Deputy Joseph J. Wachowiak | |
Assault |
| Deputy William R. Dils | |
Gunfire |
| Deputy Robert S. Insalaco | |
Gunfire |
| Deputy William M. Dillemuth | |
Gunfire |