Judge Sullivan honored on his last day on the bench
NORWICH – Chenango County Court Judge W. Howard Sullivan made his final appearance in court in that capacity Friday, receiving a plaque from the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for his decades of service to the community.
Said Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr., who presented Sullivan with the plaque, “On behalf of the people of Chenango County” and “the men and women of the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office ... we want to thank you for all that you’ve done.”
The plaque, emblazoned with the seal of the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, states, “On Your Retirement, Honorable W. Howard Sullivan, In Recognition of over 30 years of Outstanding Service to the People of Chenango County; For Your Dedication, Professionalism, Integrity and Your Great Contribution in Making Chenango County a Safer Place; The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office Thanks You.”
Judge Sullivan, who will retire at year’s end, has presided over surrogate, family and county court since 1999. The judge said he was honored by the recognition, noting the many friendships he’d acquired over the years with the various members of the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office. He went on to commend Sheriff Cutting and his force for their own dedication and commitment to the community.
Said Sullivan at the conclusion of Friday’s ceremony, “Sheriff, thank you. Thank you very much.”
Since 1972, Judge Sullivan has held a number of positions within the county’s – and city’s – judicial system, including stints as the county’s assistant district attorney (1972-1976); district attorney (1976); Norwich City Court judge (1977-1999); County Court judge (1999-2012); and Acting Supreme Court judge (2004-2012).
Prior to the ceremony, Judge Sullivan and those present in court held a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims of the recent shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, honoring each of the 26 people slain with the ring of a bell. The judge read the following in honor of those children who lost their lives at the Sandy Hook Elementary School:
Twas’ eleven days before Christmas, around 9:38, when twenty beautiful children stormed through heaven’s gate. Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air. They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there. They were filled with such joy, they didn’t know what to say. They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day. “
“Where are we?” asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse. “This is heaven,” declared a small boy, “we’re spending Christmas at God’s house.”
When what to their wondering eyes did appear, but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near. He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same. Then he opened His arms and He called them by name. And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring, those children all flew into the arms of their King. And as they lingered in the warth of His embrace, one small girl turned and looked at Jesus’ face. And as if He could read all the questions she had, He gently whispered to her, “I’ll take care of mom and dad.”
Then he looked down on earth, the world far below. He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow and woe. Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand, “Let my power and presence re-enter this land.
“May this country be delivered from the hands of fools. I’m taking back my nation. I’m taking back my schools.”
Then He and the children stood up without a sound, “Come now my children, let me show you around.”
Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran, all displaying the enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And I heard Him proclaim, as He walked out of sight, “In the midst of this darkness, I am still the Light.”
Said Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr., who presented Sullivan with the plaque, “On behalf of the people of Chenango County” and “the men and women of the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office ... we want to thank you for all that you’ve done.”
The plaque, emblazoned with the seal of the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, states, “On Your Retirement, Honorable W. Howard Sullivan, In Recognition of over 30 years of Outstanding Service to the People of Chenango County; For Your Dedication, Professionalism, Integrity and Your Great Contribution in Making Chenango County a Safer Place; The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office Thanks You.”
Judge Sullivan, who will retire at year’s end, has presided over surrogate, family and county court since 1999. The judge said he was honored by the recognition, noting the many friendships he’d acquired over the years with the various members of the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office. He went on to commend Sheriff Cutting and his force for their own dedication and commitment to the community.
Said Sullivan at the conclusion of Friday’s ceremony, “Sheriff, thank you. Thank you very much.”
Since 1972, Judge Sullivan has held a number of positions within the county’s – and city’s – judicial system, including stints as the county’s assistant district attorney (1972-1976); district attorney (1976); Norwich City Court judge (1977-1999); County Court judge (1999-2012); and Acting Supreme Court judge (2004-2012).
Prior to the ceremony, Judge Sullivan and those present in court held a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims of the recent shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, honoring each of the 26 people slain with the ring of a bell. The judge read the following in honor of those children who lost their lives at the Sandy Hook Elementary School:
Twas’ eleven days before Christmas, around 9:38, when twenty beautiful children stormed through heaven’s gate. Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air. They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there. They were filled with such joy, they didn’t know what to say. They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day. “
“Where are we?” asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse. “This is heaven,” declared a small boy, “we’re spending Christmas at God’s house.”
When what to their wondering eyes did appear, but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near. He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same. Then he opened His arms and He called them by name. And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring, those children all flew into the arms of their King. And as they lingered in the warth of His embrace, one small girl turned and looked at Jesus’ face. And as if He could read all the questions she had, He gently whispered to her, “I’ll take care of mom and dad.”
Then he looked down on earth, the world far below. He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow and woe. Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand, “Let my power and presence re-enter this land.
“May this country be delivered from the hands of fools. I’m taking back my nation. I’m taking back my schools.”
Then He and the children stood up without a sound, “Come now my children, let me show you around.”
Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran, all displaying the enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And I heard Him proclaim, as He walked out of sight, “In the midst of this darkness, I am still the Light.”
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