On October 10, 2009, the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office dedicated a permanent memorial honoring the ultimate sacrifice by Seneca County Corrections John Walters, who in 1887 was killed in the line of duty during an escape attempt at the Old Seneca County Jail in Waterloo, New York. 

Mr. Walters sacrifice and the events leading up to his murder is chronicled in the accompanying article by Mr. Walter Gable, Seneca County Historian.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office honored Mr. Walters service to Seneca County by not only establishing a permanent memorial at the Seneca County Law Enforcement Center, but by Officially designating the Training Room at the Center the “John Walters Memorial Training Room.”  This training room is utilized by not only members of the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, but by law enforcement officers and public from throughout the area.  Mr. Walters sacrifice is described in a permanent collage hung in the John Walters Training Room for all to see.

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office extend our sincere gratitude to the Fratto Family (Geneva Granite) of Geneva, New York who donated the permanent granite memorial honoring Mr. Walter.

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Awards Ceremony 2010

On December 10, 2010, Seneca County Sheriff Jack S. Stenberg honored and paid tribute to members of the Sheriff’s Office during the annual awards ceremony.  Those receiving awards are as follows:

LIFE SAVING AWARD

CORRECTIONS OFFICER DANIEL BELL - On 05/05/2010 at 2204 HRS - Correction Officer Daniel Bell assigned to Housing Unit B while performing an inmate check on the mezzanine level observed an inmate sitting in a strange position on his bunk. CO Bell entered the inmates cell to find the inmate's face blue and in an unconscious state with a knot tied around his neck fashioned from a piece of clothing.  CO Bell called a Medical Emergency Code and went about removing the knot at which time the inmate commenced breathing and began to resume normal color.  Other Corrections Officers and Supervisors responded to assist.  The inmate was removed to a secure constant watch setting with the appropriate referrals to Seneca County Mental Health.

ACHIEVEMENT AWARD(S)

DEPUTY SHERIFF RICHARD REED - On 03/02/2010 at 23:42 HRS - Deputy Reed while on patrol observed a outdoor fire in close proximity to a mobile home located at 1476 Grange Hall Road, Waterloo, New York. Deputy Reed requested Junius Fire Department be activated to respond to the scene. Deputy Reed then entered the mobile home where he found interior smoke conditions. Deputy Reed evacuated two elderly residents to a safe location unharmed.  Deputy Reed along with a New York State Trooper extinguished the fire before it spread and caused damage to the mobile home.  The Junius Fire Department arrived and completed the extinguishment of the fire which was determined to have been caused by embers from an outdoor furnace igniting a wood pile next to the mobile home.  Deputy Reed's initial observation of the fire, his quick action in summoning assistance, along with safely evacuating the elderly residents and extinguishing the fire averted a potential tragedy. 

INVESTIGATOR JOSEPH STEVENS - March of 2010 - you were assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Seneca County Sheriff's Office. Since your assignment you have distinguished yourself among your peers.

April of 2010 - you investigated a serial Burglary case in the Towns of Fayette and Varick. A total of five residences were entered with property stolen. There was much public concern over these crimes. After an outstanding investigation you solved all five burglaries and apprehended the suspect

July of 2010 - you investigated a child sexual abuse case in the Town of Romulus involving a suspected child molester who had victimized two children. You solved the case and were able to arrest the child molester. This action saved untold children from further abuse.

October of 2010 -you became involved in an extreme case of domestic violence involving the physical and sexual abuse of several adult females. During the investigation you demonstrated outstanding investigative ability and perseverance. You arrested the suspect and have continued to perform with excellence in this ongoing case.

Because of your dedication, hard work and ability in solving these cases and your continued excellent performance you are awarded this Achievement Award

COMMUNITY POLICING EXCELLENCE AWARD

INVESTIGATOR KIPP GOODMAN - You are currently assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Seneca County Sheriff's Office as an Investigator and Youth Officer. During your 18 years in these positions you have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the Seneca County community in the areas of crime prevention, public safety, and education. For the past 16 years you have also functioned as a D.A.R.E. -- (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), instructor in Seneca County Schools. You have taught thousands of children the benefits and skills of drug prevention and good decision making. You have headed up the “Operation Safe Child” initiative in Seneca County resulting in child I.D’s being issued to parents in the event that their children are ever lost or missing. You have conducted countless special crime prevention details in the schools and community including “McGruff the Crime Dog”. You regularly have been involved in counseling juveniles who have been involved in risky behaviors.

For your outstanding dedication toward improving the quality of life by educating and advocating for Seneca County Youth you are awarded the Community Policing Excellence Award.

MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD(S) – UPON RETIREMENT

• MARY LINDA FARR
• DEPUTY SHERIFF BURL OSBORNE

LETTERS OF COMMENDATION

• DEPUTY SHERIFF JOHN BREESE
• LIEUTENANT JOHN CLEERE  
• CORRECTIONS SERGEANT JOHN DINO
• DEPUTY SHERIFF FRANK ELDREDGE & K-9 “ATO”  
• DEPUTY SHERIFF CHRISTOPHER FELICE
• DEPUTY SHERIFF JOHN FOWLER & K-9 “IZAK”
• CORRECTIONS OFFICER HOWARD GABLE
• CORRECTIONS OFFICER JOSHUA KIERST 
• INVESTIGATOR ROBERT LAHR
• LIEUTENANT CHARLES MALESKI
• DEPUTY SHERIFF JOHN NESBIT
• SPECIAL PATROL OFFICER MILES PERSHING
• CHIEF DEPUTY JAMES D. SPIKE  
• DEPUTY MICHAEL STROHM
• CORRECTIONS OFFICER LINDA SWICK
• CORRECTIONS OFFICER NICHOLAS WOODARD

SCSO HONOR’S PRIOR MILITARY SERVICE BY MEMBERS – Awarded recognition pins at today’s ceremony are the following members who gave service to their Country by serving in the United States Military –

• CO Joseph Bilancini – US Army
• CO Sgt. Francis Kelley – US Navy
• CO James Rush – US Navy
• CO Stephen Webb – US Air Force
• CO Scott White – US Army
• CO Brian Alberti – US Marines
• CO Abraham Hara – US Air Force
• Jail Administrator Roger Ward – US Army
• Special Patrol Officer William Struzyk – US Navy
• Special Patrol Officer Richard Langley – US Army
• Special Patrol Officer Henry Eno –US Army
• Deputy Sheriff Stephen DiDuro – US Marines
• Deputy Sheriff Brian Hubbs – US Army
• Deputy Sheriff David Smith – US Army National Guard
• Sheriff Jack Stenberg – US Navy

ALL CORRECTIONS DIVISION MEMBERS were awarded NYS Corrections Accreditation Pins for achieving State-wide accreditation of the Corrections Division.

ALL COURT SECURITY DIVISION MEMBERS were awarded NYS Court Security Accreditation Pins for achieving State-wide accreditation for the Court Security Division.

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Archived Articles

• Awards Ceremony 2009