Media Releases

18th Annual Awards Ceremony

On Saturday  March 06, 2010, Chenango County Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr. hosted the Sheriff's Office 18th Annual Awards Program. The ceremony was held at the Sheriff's Office with approx. 100 people in attendance.

The following members of the Sheriff's Office were honored with the following awards:

Benenati Award: Awarded for career achievements and outstanding performance in the field of Law Enforcement &/or Civil Division &/or Corrections. Award is named in the honor of former Chenango County Sheriff Joseph J. Benenati Jr.

Recipient:   Chief Civil Clerk Patricia J. Collier

Patty has been employed in the Sheriff's Office Civil Division since 1973 after being hired by Sheriff Benenati as a Deputy Sheriff / Clerk. She has been the Civil Supervisor since 1988. Patty will be retiring in June of 2010 after 37 years of dedicated service to Chenango County.

2010 Officer of the Year:  Officer of the Year award is given to an employee that has shown outstanding performance and dedication to the Sheriff's Office:

Patrol:  Deputy Gary Miller

Deputy Miller has been employed in the Patrol Division since 2007 and lead the Sheriff's Office with 139 criminal arrests in 2009.

Corrections:  Corrections Officer Craig S. Hackett

Officer Hackett has been employed in the Corrections Division since 1996 and he is a Field Training Officer and Instructor.

Communications:  Public Safety Dispatcher Daron R. Schultes

Dispatcher Schultes has been employed in the Communications Division since 2003 and is a Field Training Officer.

Civilian Employee:   Civil Clerk Kimberly Smith

Kim has been employed in the Civil Division since 1988 and she organizes & schedules activities for the Sheriff's Annual Summer Camp.

 

On Friday December 18, 2009, Dave and Maureen Francis owners of the “Heading Due North” Gun Shop located at 97 East Main Street in the City

of Norwich generously donated a “Bushmaster” .223 caliber M4 carbine tactical rifle to the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team.  

 

The Bushmaster rifle will be utilized by the Sheriff’s Office - “HEAT” (Hazardous Entry and Arrest Team) Team.  The “HEAT” Team is a highly trained unit specializing in high profile Search Warrant executions, hostage rescues, barracked persons, active shooter situations, etc.  

Pictured with “Heading Due North” owner Maureen Francis is Sheriff Ernest Cutting Jr. (left) and Sergeant Timothy Urnaitis (Right).   Sgt. Urnaitis is the Sheriff’s Office Firearms instructor and leader of the “HEAT” Team.