Volume 379                                                                                                                        October 22, 2015 
File 25
News of the NYS Sheriffs' Association
Remembering Irene Colwill, NYSSAI Administrative Assistant
Irene Colwill, the upbeat, friendly face of the NYS Sheriffs' Institute and Association, passed away on Tuesday after a brief illness. Born on February 17, 1940, Irene was 75. She came to the the Sheriff's Association in 1999 as an Administrative Assistant. Her work ethic and her energetic personality soon led to her become an indispensable part of our organization. 

Often the first person to greet visitors and callers, everyone looked forward to talking with Irene. Institute Chairman and Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike reflected that whenever he called the office, Irene would greet him in her cheerful voice and ask him what the weather was like out in Yates County, knowing that in a few hours that would be the weather here in Albany.

Sheriffs, vendors, and colleagues will remember her as a consummate professional, working tirelessly on the many conferences she coordinated for Tom Mitchell and Ed Wutzer. Irene was quick to assist, even on matters outside her normal range of responsibility. "Her most common response to a plea for assistance: 'I CAN HELP YOU WITH THAT!'" said Operation SafeChild Project Manager Mark Anderson.

“Irene was the glue that held our office together. We will miss all of her wonderful contributions to our day-to-day work life, but most of all we will miss her incredible friendship,"  said Executive Director Chris O'Brien. 

Our prayers go out to Irene's husband Jack and her children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews. She will indeed be greatly missed.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, 11:00am at St. John the Baptist Church, Route 9, Valatie with Rev. George Fleming officiating.  Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday, October 22 from 5-8pm at the Raymond E Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook St., Valatie. For those who wish, memorials may be made to the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, 27 Elk Street, Albany, NY 12207. Please click here for Irene's obituary.
Rensselaer County Sheriff Jack Mahar Hosts Day of 207 C Training
The New York State Sheriffs' Association recently sponsored a full-day training program on officer disability benefits.  Police and peace officers enjoy a greater work disability program than civilian employees, and Sheriffs and others in county government must ensure that these benefits are properly paid to those who are truly injured or taken sick as a result of the work.  

Rensselaer County Sheriff Jack Mahar hosted the training program at the Sheriff's Office, and 95 people were in attendance, including Sheriffs, Undersheriffs, road patrol division chiefs, jail administrators, and other Sheriffs' staff members.  Instructors for the class were Elayne Gold, a prominent labor law attorney in the Capital District, and a partner at Roemer, Wallens, Gold and Mineux, LLP; Westchester County Deputy Commissioner Justin Pruyne; and Westchester Assistant County Attorney Fred Sullivan.  

Sheriff Mahar suggested the training program to help counties deal with claims for benefits and to make sure that everyone had the best and updated information on how to process, and if necessary, challenge these claims to protect both our officers and taxpayers.

The program was provided without cost to all who participated.   

This summer the Essex and Clinton County Sheriff's Offices had a blood drive contest. Pictured above, when Clinton County Sgt Frank Mercier met Essex County Sheriff Richard Cutting at the blood center to pay off the bet with a dozen Dunkin' Donuts, both gave blood again. Sheriff Cutting donated the donuts to the blood bank workers for all of their good work. The ultimate winner is the many patients who benefited from the donated blood. Great idea!

Orleans County Undersheriff Steve Smith & Jail Superintendent Scott Wilson took time out recently to recognize Lieutenant John Mignano, who completed 25 years of service with the Orleans County as of October 1, 2015. Lt. Mignano joined the Sheriff’s Office as a Correction Officer In 1990,  was promoted to Sergeant in 1999 and elevated to Lieutenant in 2004 by Sheriff Scott Hess. Lt.  Mignano currently serves as the “C” Line Shift Supervisor. Congratulations!
Thanks to our Gold Partner:
 New York State Sheriffs' Association | 518-434-9091 | www.nysheriffs.org