NORWICH – All in attendance left their seats to honor and applaud the winner of the esteemed Joseph J. Benenati Jr. at the 23rd Annual Chenango County Sheriff’s Office Awards held Friday, March 6, 2015.
Following the call to order, Pledge of Allegiance, and introduction of honored guests by Undersheriff Daniel Frair, Chenango County Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr. shared some opening remarks.
Cutting thanked everyone in attendance not only for their hard work in 2014 with the CCSO, but said that the night was a moment for everyone to slow down. Cutting added that day in and day out the employees work extremely hard at their jobs, and the night was to recognize those who stood out last year in their respective fields.
First, Cutting expressed his thanks to his command staff, who heads four main units, each of which contains sub-units. The five that were recognized as command staff were Undersheriff Frair, Jail Administrator Lieutenant Chris Miles, Lieutenant Richard Cobb — head of law enforcement, Chenango County Chief Dispatcher A. Wesley Jones, and Craig Allison in the Civil Division.
“I wouldn’t be as effective of a sheriff without these great people,” said Cutting.
Cutting added that all of the staff carries out their duties with a smile.
Last year, the sheriff said, there were 128 prisoners in the jail at one point. “Ten years ago I never would have thought that in a million years we’d house that many.” He said the jail was at maximum capacity and the office was down on staff members. Cutting said it posed a great challenge to Lt. Miles, yet operations went smoothly.
The sheriff comments that the office has seen many new faces in 2015, but staff remains down 2 full-time staff members and other part time members. “We’re always hiring staff in one place or another,” said Cutting.
86 inmates are in the jail currently, according to the sheriff, and one challenge that has been ongoing is the healthcare of said inmates. Obstacles include diabetes, substance abuse issues, heroin addiction and withdrawal, and due to the resurgence of heroin and use of needles, a rise in Hepatitis among inmates. Additionally, he said mental health issues are a challenge.
Cutting said every year the staff takes part in protective training with regard to medical and mental issues among inmates.
The sheriff took time to commend the kitchen staff who prepares more than 600 meals per day.
With regard to the law enforcement division, Cutting said heroin remains a problem within the county, and the CCSO has ramped up the training by equipping each deputy with Naloxone, or Narcan, an antidote for an individual overdosing on an opiate.
“Some have really struggled with that,” said Cutting. “Why would we save a drug addict? Well, they are still someone’s child, parent, sibling.”
Speaking to the war on drugs, Cutting added there were 286 felony drug arrests, and 600 misdemeanor drug arrests and 219 violation arrests by the CCSO last year. In addition, 36 DWI arrests were made and 143 arrest warrants.
“The problem keeps affecting our society, and we will continue the fight,” said Cutting.
One deputy, Anthony Lawrence, has attended Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) training and is now certified to tell the type of substance/s an individual may be under the influence of.
Cutting expanded more on the Narcotics Division and the drug arrests made by that group.
Project Lifesaver was also explained by the sheriff, an initiative that would allow law enforcement to locate those with Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Autism in the event an individual wanders off or gets lost. “It helps to locate them quicker than regular searches,” Cutting said.
A $174,000 911 Substantiality grant was also discussed by the sheriff. He said this would allow the office to move into the next generation with regard to 911 technology and stay ahead of the game.
Additionally, the CCSO was re-accredited in 2014, something that was deemed a tremendous credit to the staff. “Not one division had an issue by the assessors,” said Cutting.
Before Cutting handed over the floor to those announcing the winners of specific awards, he extended gratitude to the husbands, wives, children, friends, family members, and past officers in attendance. “Thank you for keeping the home fire burning,” Cutting said.
Awards were then presented to those who have completed five, 10, 15 and 20 years of service with the CCSO. New hires were also recognized.
Firearms precision awards in the patrol division were presented to Detective Gary Miller, with a perfect score of 250; Sgt. Hitt and Dep. Bowen with scores tied at 249.75; and Dep. Warner with a score of 248.25. In the corrections division, Corrections Officer (CO) Callahan earned a score of 249; CO Murwin a score of 247.5; and Sgt. Burdick with 247.
Additional special recognition awards in the corrections division were presented in various categories. CO Craig Murwin and CO Joseph Hand received an award for selflessness. CO Chris LaCotta and CO Ryan Green were recognized for their efforts in suicide prevention. COs Stanley Fendryk, Joseph Hand, Gloria Galley, Deborah Ianetta, Kandy Mannix, Tracy Rotundo and Craig Murwin were recognized for efforts in confiscating drug contraband. CO Richard Gould was honored for his work in thwarting weapon contraband. CO Kimberly Lewis received recognition for her work in medical treatment and the thwarting of hoarding medications. CO Kenneth Hayes was additionally honored for his work in noticing the hoarding of medications. The dedication award was presented to CO Scott Newman. COs John Mullin, John Gregware, Robert Patterson, Richard Winsor, Nicholas Callahan, Craig Murwin, Chris Golliver and Edward White were honored for their work in high-risk transports. CO Thomas Thompson completed five years of work with perfect attendance.
In the communications division, A. Jones presented honors to Public Safety Dispatchers Alan Burke, Jeffery Harter, Erin LaCotta and George Finch for their high Emergency Medical Dispatch score. This score reflects the proficiency of the PSD in providing pre-arrival instructions to callers.
The special recognition awards within the patrol division were presented to Deputies Nathan Warner and Kelly Hayner with regard to suspicious incidents; Deputies David Castle and Derrick Kruser with regard to robberies; and Deputy Chad O’Hara in the K9 Department.
Sergeant Ted Ellingsen, Deputy Eric Blinco, and COs Leonard Larson and Thomas Thompson were awarded with perfect attendance honors.
Sheriff Cutting then presented Lt. Cobb, Det. John Fern, Det. Kevin Powell and Det. Gary Miller for their work on the Ganesh R. Ramsaran case. Ramsaran was convicted of murder in the second degree for killing his wife in 2012, and the trial took place in 2014. The jury returned a guilty verdict in approximately three hours.
Cutting provided the accreditation award to Sgt. Ronald Swislosky. Swislosky, on top of his other duties, took additional duties with regard to the re-accrediting of the CCSO.
Sgt. CJ Williams was awarded a commendation in the area of the Corrections Academy. “CJ took this duty on this year on top of his others, and there was a 100 percent pass rate.”
Deputy Matthew Roberts and CO Timothy Marvin were awarded Most Improved from the previous year.
The Perseverance Award was earned by Deputy David Castle, CO Tracy Rotundo, and CO Christopher Miles.
Each department head then presented their decision for officer of the year awards.
Lt. Miles presented CO Kandy Mannix with the officer of the year award. “She was the officer of the month four times, averted a suicide attempt after finding an inmate with a torn sheet, and was able to save an inmate having a mental emergency,” said Lt. Miles. Additionally, in Oct. 2014 CO Mannix assisted an officer in locating drugs hidden on an inmate. She is a field training officer, and Lt. Miles said she has an exceptional work ethic, he never stops, and if she forgets to tell someone something before leaving, she will turing around. CO Mannix also organizes employee activities.
As for A. Jones, he said the decision for Dispatcher of the Year was “very easy.” PSD Erin LaCotta was hired in 2013 and has excelled in everything she’s done. “She has exceptional customer service skills, is enjoyable to work with, and has a great attitude that bolsters the other employees,” Jones said.
Lt. Cobb awarded Anthony Lawrence with the Deputy of the Year award. This is the second straight year Deputy Lawrence has received said award. “He has the desire to learn new things, he has a very positive attitude and is a great team player,” said Cobb.
“It feels good to receive the recognition, but I just come in and do what my supervisors expect of a deputy,” said Lawrence with regard to the award. “It means that I’m meeting the expectations of my supervisors and the administration. I enjoy coming to work and I feel I have always had a good work ethic so I just try to keep myself busy with criminal investigations and with vehicle and traffic enforcement. I also belve in integrity in everything I do, especially with all the negativity toward law enforcement. I think the public will expect me to continue what I’ve been doing and now that I have set the standard for myself obviously my personal goal will be just that.”
Theresa Cook was awarded the Civilian of the Year award for her exemplary work in as a member of the kitchen staff. She covers extra shifts, helps whenever and wherever she is needed, and never has complained.
The ceremony then proceeded to the two most esteemed awards, The Sergeant Michael R. Friot Award and the Joseph J. Benenati Award.
The Friot award was established to honor the memory of Sgt. Friot and is given to a member of the Corrections Division who best exemplifies the dedication and professionalism of Sgt. Friot.
The recipient this year was CO John Mullen. Mullen was honored as an officer of the month last January and was able to physically subdue a combative inmate. Mullen was able to locate a box cutter that was within the facility. He assists with trials and transport. Mullen also volunteers at schools and community events.
The Benenati award is to honor former Chenango County Sheriff Joseph J. Benenati, Jr., and is presented to a member of the CCSO for “Outstanding dedication in the field of law enforcement and corrections.” The recipient of this award is selected by the sheriff.
Cutting said he listens closely to all of his department heads before making the decision on who shall receive the prestigious award. He said there were many suggestions and it was hashed out, but he ultimately selected Detective Gary Miller. When announced the packed crowd left their seats and stood to applaud the detective.
“Miller has a great work ethic and has an outstanding attitude,” said Cutting. “He plays an important part of the Sheriff’s Office mission to keep Chenango County a great place to live, work, and play.”