2025 was another challenging yet successful year for the SCSO
From Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard, pictured are Deputy Butler and Lt. Logsdon
It’s a beautiful day in Steuben County. The hills are covered in snow, and although we had a little break from the frigid temperatures, it feels like winter is here for a while. I hope that everyone had a safe and happy holiday season! Now, moving ahead into 2026 I look forward to serving another year as your Sheriff, and continuing to work with the real-life heroes that serve our county as Deputies and Officers of the Sheriff’s Office.
In December we said goodbye to longtime Schuyler County Sheriff Bill Yessman. Sheriff Yessman was a leader in the law enforcement training community and in our region. He was a dedicated family man and a good friend. We will miss him.
December brought another busy month for our agency. On December 2nd, Sheriff Allard commended Undersheriff McNelis, Lieutenant Kennedy and Lieutenant Logsdon for their outstanding performance on the installation and training of the new county wide law enforcement records management system. On December 6th we conducted the “Toys for Tots”, and Coats for Kids fill the patrol car event at the Erwin and Hornell Walmart Plazas. Over four hundred toys were donated and over 100 coats were received to benefit those in our county who need them most. We look forward to again helping all our school districts. In December we participated in the regional “Shop with a Cop” at the Hornell Walmart, teaming up with multiple agencies and serving over 60 families. The Christmas Spirit was everywhere and a HUGE thank you to the Walmart teams! Our Corrections Staff presented a check to the Wilmot Cancer Center in the amount of $1,030 to help those affected by breast cancer, and also delivered holiday meals to those in need. Additionally in December, Both K9 Tripp and K9 Twiggy had birthdays, Happy Birthday!
In December, Lieutenant Thompson and Officer Mann completed the NYS DCJS International Critical Incident Stress Foundation Assisting Individuals in Crisis and the Group Crisis Intervention training hosted by Steuben County Sheriff’s Office. Captain Mills completed an accreditation assessment on behalf of the New York State Sheriff’s Association for Allegany County Jail. Major Sutton and Captain Mills attended a Western New York Jail Administrator training. Sergeant Sorge and Deputy Butler taught another NYS Boater’s Safety Course, continuing our monthly presentation of this course. Jail staff completed the CPR/first aid refresher course. The jail continued the part time Basic Course for Corrections. Investigator Ellison and Deputy Butler attended a swift water rescue training with the Corning Joint Fire District. Deputy Dininny instructed a snowmobile safety course.
2025 was another challenging yet successful year for our agency. We successfully investigated everything from murders to a bank robbery to animal cruelty. Our jail continued to see an increase in the number of inmates while we work to recruit and retain Officers. During the NYS Corrections strike, we reached pre-bail reform numbers of inmates due to NYS DOCCS refusing to take state ready inmates. We achieved collective bargaining agreements with both the Deputies and the Correction Officers which provided industry standard retirements. We conducted a realistic staffing analysis for the patrol division, a one, five and ten year building needs assessment, a patrol overtime analysis, achieved re-accreditation for the jail and civil divisions, installed a new county wide law enforcement records management system, partnered with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and conducted a myriad of trainings for our agency and the region. Through all the adversity and challenges, your Sheriff’s Office has continued to excel and stay the course with our core values of Professionalism, Integrity, Leadership, and Service. We look forward to 2026 and all that we will encounter and accomplish.
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!
