In 1961 President John F. Kennedy and the U.S. Congress designated May 15th of each year as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it fell within on the calendar as “Police Week” (May 12 – 18, 2024). National Peace Officers Memorial Day honors federal, state and local law enforcement officers who have died or have become disabled in the line of duty. This year 118 names are being added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., 64 of which are law enforcement officers who have succumbed to 9/11 related illnesses.

In New York, recent criminal justice reforms have made it difficult for law enforcement officers to keep our communities safe. Last week New York State Sheriff’s Association President, Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond called on state lawmakers to prioritize the safety of law enforcement officers and end the dangerous trend of violence against them. “End the open season on law enforcement,” said Sheriff DuMond, echoing the urgent plea of families and communities statewide. “Our communities deserve nothing less.” 

Just this year alone, Lieutenant Michael Hoosock of the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, Officer Michael Jensen of the Syracuse Police Department, Officer Jonathan Diller of the New York City Police Department, and Sergeant Thomas Sanfratello of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office - Batavia, NY, have tragically died in the line of duty. In the same period, Albany Police Department Officer Jonathan Damphier was shot during a car stop and Chemung County Sheriff’s Investigator Mike Theetge was run over by a shoplifter. Thankfully, they both survived. 

New York’s so-called “criminal justice reforms” have created a revolving door that emboldens criminals. Since 2017, 38 cop killers have been released on parole from state prisons, some /supposedly serving life sentences. What kind of message does this send? As your Sheriff, I am working diligently with District Attorney Brian Conaty to hold defendants accountable for their crimes, but in many cases the legislation coming out of Albany has tied our hands. Common sense legislation like “Billy’s Law”, which would make the crime of arson eligible for bail and protect our firefighters, is simply ignored by oblivious downstate state lawmakers. Sheriff DuMond was on point last week when he said, “To restore balance to our approach to criminal justice, we must empower judges to assess dangerousness and make informed decisions on bail eligibility. It’s imperative for citizens to voice their support for measures aimed at protecting law enforcement officers”, he said. The state legislature is currently in session during “Police Week”. 

As Sheriff, I encourage the public to reach out to their representatives and emphasize the importance of prioritizing public safety. We must engage with legislators and advocate for policies that safeguard those who protect our communities.  Michael Schiff is the elected Sheriff of Sullivan County, NY.