February 6, 2026
It’s a beautiful day in Steuben County. The hills are covered in snow, Waneta Lake is solidly iced over and Keuka has ice fishermen on the north end. Winter is here as I remember it as a child, with February holding us in its icy grip.
Our agency is about to go through a growth spurt. Undersheriff McNelis, who has been with us since I was elected in 2016, has decided to take a great opportunity in the private sector and will be leaving us in March. He has a long and distinguished career in law enforcement, and I am very sad to see him go, but feel blessed to have been able to work with him and call him friend. John started his career in the Steuben County Jail as a Correction Officer. He then was hired at the Hornell Police Department as a Patrolman and worked there until he was appointed to the New York State Police. He served as a Trooper and Criminal Investigator, working primarily in the Hudson Valley region until being chosen to work on Governor Pataki’s protection unit, often driving the Governor around New York State. He then continued investigating crimes for the New York State Police and eventually returned home to work both in the Bath and Wayland Barracks as an Investigator. After retiring from the State Police, he worked as a School Resource Officer in Canisteo, which is where I met him. Upon meeting John I was immediately struck by his integrity and intelligence. When it came time to interview for potential Undersheriffs, which we did with a three-panel interview procedure, he consistently rose to the top and was recommended at every turn. Since becoming Undersheriff, he has consistently and successfully managed every program we have created. Steuben County has greatly benefited from the knowledge and experience that Undersheriff McNelis brought to this Office. None of the many programs brought to life here would have occurred without his diligence and attention to detail. I am happy for my friend that he can spend more time with his wife, Beth, and family, but I will miss seeing him every day.
One of Undersheriff McNelis’ greatest achievements was to prepare and train a successor. Lieutenant Brian Logsdon, who served his first five years as a Steuben County Correction Officer, then served as a Deputy Sheriff, Sergeant and Lieutenant will soon be promoted to the rank and position of Undersheriff. Brian has the respect and confidence of both the Patrol and Correction Divisions as well as my confidence and respect. Brian has served with distinction as an evidence technician, SWAT member, Field Training Officer, Records Management Administrator, Staffing Officer, as well as any other task presented to him. He has successfully completed the FBINAA Trilogy Leadership Training and was the project manager for the new county wide law enforcement records management system. He will continue Undersheriff McNelis’ legacy of excellence.
January brought another busy month for our agency. Sheriff Allard commended Deputy Ryan Andrews and Deputy Ethan Hurd for successfully disarming an alleged knife wielding suspect who attempted to stab Deputy Hurd in the face. We swore in two new Deputy Sheriffs, Deputy Spencer Gibson and Deputy Collin Hammond who are now attending the Southern Tier Law Enforcement Academy. Deputy Gibson is a former Steuben County 911 dispatcher and Deputy Hammond is a former Steuben County Correction Officer. Welcome Spencer and Collin! We also swore in two new Correction Officers, Officer Collin Cantrell was sworn in as a Provisional Full-time Correction Officer and Officer Steven Cantando was sworn in as Permanent Part-time Corrections Officers assigned to Court Security. Welcome Collin and Steven! Sergeant Shutt delivered over 100 donated coats and hats to area schools. Sergeants Ames, Erskine, Gardiner, Kester, Sciotti, Towner, Valentine and Waight completed the International Association of Chiefs of Police; The Emerging Leader training. Sergeants Ames and Waight completed the New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Fire Safety Inspections at Correctional Facilities Course. Captain Mills completed the National Command and Staff College MAGNUS Leadership Program. Sergeant Sorge and Deputy Butler taught another NYS Boater’s Safety Course, continuing our monthly presentation of this course. Investigators Day, Shepherd and Dininny completed the NYS DCJS Background Investigations Course. Sheriff Allard attended the NYS Sheriff’s Association Winter Training Conference, with classes on AI, the Dark Web, Border Security and Financial Crimes. Sheriff Allard was also honored to be the emcee at the annual awards ceremony as Chair of the NYS Sheriff’s Institute.
All of our deputies and officers performed in an outstanding fashion, and we received multiple commendations from the public regarding their outstanding performance.
We continue to pray for our first responder colleagues and deployed military across the globe, as well as their families. We also pray for the victims of mass casualty events and state sponsored aggression. Thank you for supporting the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office in these challenging times and stay safe!
Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard
