June 6,2025
By Steuben CO Sheriff Jim Allard
It’s a beautiful day in Steuben County. So far in June we have had sunny 80-degree weather, hail and rain. It has been quite a mix! Today is June 6, D-Day. Eighty-one years ago today 160,000 Allied soldiers landed in Normandy to begin the end of World War II. The Allied forces suffered 10,300 casualties, heroes all, so that we can enjoy our freedom today. In May, the Sheriff’s Office held our tenth annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service that honors the local heroes who gave all for their communities in our county and the six contiguous counties. As always, it was a sobering ceremony that reminds us of the sacrifices our first responders make to guarantee our safety and freedom. It is easy to take for granted what our first responders and their families give to keep us safe. The goal of our memorial service is to remember those who never made it home at the end of their shift and honor their families and remind us all of the continued heroism of those who serve our communities. Thank you to all who attended and participated, especially Lisako Leister, a sophomore from Hammondsport School District who beautifully sang the National Anthem.
So far this spring, the “Emilee’s Challenge” educational trailer has been presented to over 2,500 high school students to instruct in the dangers of impaired or distracted driving or riding with a distracted or impaired driver. Dispatcher Clark continues to share her message of warning and hope to students not only in Steuben County, but adjacent counties as well. The trailer was recently selected to be displayed and presented at the NYS Highway Safety Symposium in October.
In May, Sergeant Sorge and Deputy Butler taught another NYS Boater’s Safety Course, continuing our monthly presentation of this course. Sergeant Sorge attended the Civil Supervisor Conference and completed the NYS Child Passenger Safety Seat Technical Conference along with Deputy Ramirez and Deputy McCoy. Deputy McCoy and K9 Tripp recertified with the National Police Bloodhound Association. Captain Mills attended the New York State Association of Incarcerated Education Programs Annual Conference. Officer Robert Labar attended the Annual New York Association of Hostage Negotiators Conference. Officer Gary Audinwood, Officer Andrew Manley, Officer Brandy Parsons and Officer Daniel Cox attended the Mock Prison Riot at the decommissioned West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville, West Virginia. The Sheriff’s Office hosted a Use of Force, Aerosol Subject Restraint and Conducted Energy Device initial training for the Steuben County Probation Department instructed by Sergeant Angelo Sciotti, Deputy Thomas Nybeck and Officer Travis Waight. Sergeant Sorge hosted a Child Passenger Safety Seat checkpoint in Wayland. Sergeant Shutt, K9 Ronnie and Sergeant Valentine presented at career day at Wildwood BOCES. Sheriff Allard presented at the Unity in the Community Event in Elmira, the Lamoka-Waneta Lakes Association annual meeting as well as the Keuka Lake Association mid-year meeting. Sheriff Allard also appeared on “Frankly Speaking” and “Talk of the Tiers”.
May was another busy and challenging month in the Sheriff’s Office. Our investigators and deputies were tasked with a murder investigation, four criminal possession of a weapon investigations, three burglary investigations, one resisting arrest investigation, six endangering a child investigations, one rape investigation, one forcible touching investigation, two unauthorized use of a vehicle investigations, two menacing investigations, three sex offense investigations, one welfare fraud investigation, seven death investigations, one falsifying business records investigation, one filing a false instrument investigation, one reckless endangerment investigation, four criminal contempt investigations, two fire investigations, nine larceny investigations, nine grand larceny investigations, twelve harassment investigations, six criminal mischief investigations, one stalking investigation and one filing a false report investigation. Our Patrol Division was tasked with multiple domestic incident investigations along with mental health detainments, emergency medical aid, assisting other agencies, serving of warrants, and three intoxicated or impaired driving arrests.
All of our deputies and officers performed in an outstanding fashion, and we received multiple commendations from the public regarding their outstanding performance.
Deputy Butler and Deputy Bush at a DWI Reenactment Emilee’s Challenge trailer at Bath-Haverling CSD
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
