DELHI - Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond, president of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, traveled to Albany Tuesday, April 23 and called on state lawmakers to focus on ending New York’s “open season” on police officers.
Joined by sheriffs of Albany, Oneida, Warren, Columbia, Greene, Fulton, and Cortland counties, DuMond pointed to a wave of vicious attacks that have cut short the lives of four police officers since last month.
Those killed in the line of duty include: Onondaga County Sheriff’s Lt. Michael Hoosock; Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen; New York City Police Officer Jonathan Diller and Genesee County Sheriff’s Sergeant Thomas Sanfratello. DuMond also cited last week’s ambush attack on Albany Police Officer Jonathan Damphier, now undergoing treatment after being gunned down about one mile from the state Capitol.
In addition, Chemung County Sheriff’s Investigator Mike Theetge remains hospitalized after suffering a fractured skull and brain bleeds after being attacked while working a retail theft detail.
Specifically, DuMond called for mandatory life without parole sentences for individuals convicted of intentionally killing a police officer. Speaking on behalf of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, DuMond also voiced his support for an Assembly measure that would make all gun crimes qualifying offenses for denying release.
He also urged lawmakers to revisit the changes they made to bail statutes and the age of criminal responsibility (“Raise the Age”).
As for new legislation creating a low-level felony offense for assaulting a retail shop worker, DuMond pointed out the measure fails to make that crime a bail-eligible offense. The revolving door will continue, he said.
State lawmakers are now in recess, slated to return to Albany May 6 for the post-budget session.
DuMond and other police executives are urging them to take into consideration the voices of the law enforcement community as they debate public safety measures.
