Sheriff Paul J. Van Blarcum has announced the appointment of Captain Michael O. Freer to the position of Undersheriff of the Ulster County Sheriff's Office, and the promotion of Francis X. Gillespie to the rank of Detective in the Criminal Division of the Sheriff's Office. Undersheriff Freer succeeds former Undersheriff Frank P. Faluotico, Jr., who earlier this month announced his plans to retire after 28 years in law enforcement.

The new Undersheriff has been with the Sheriff's Office for 34 years. In 1981 he was appointed Deputy Sheriff from the first civil service list for deputy sheriff in Ulster County. He was promoted to patrol sergeant in 1986, to patrol lieutenant in 2000; and to Captain of Police Services in 2007. Undersheriff Freer is a graduate of New Paltz High School. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Marist College and a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice from Boston University.

Livingston County Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty and the Livingston County Sheriff's Office was recently recognized by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for their efforts in combating illegal drugs and the abuse of prescription drugs, and promoting the safe disposal of prescription drugs by participating, from the very beginning,  in the DEA sponsored "Drug Take-Back Day."  Resident Agent in Charge Timothy Kernan of DEA Field Office Rochester, NY presented a "Certificate of Appreciation" to the Livingston County Sheriff's Office in recognition of the ongoing partnership

On its ninth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on September 27, the DEA, along with 4,076 of its national, tribal, and community law enforcement partners, collected 617,150 pounds (309 tons) of unwanted prescription drugs at 5,495 sites. This brought the total amount of drugs collected in four years to or 2,411 tons. 

"The Livingston County Sheriff's Office has been there since day one of the initiative," said Resident Agent in Charge Kernan. "Your agency immediately partnered up with ours and that teamwork has continued to grow over the years. I thank you not only for your dedication to the Take-Back events but also the collaboration on fighting illegal drugs through the Livingston County Drug Task Force.  On behalf of the DEA we present your Office with this Certificate of Appreciation."