Staff Reports
Friday night at the Como Restaurant was a rare time for the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department to celebrate the hard work put in by road patrol deputies and corrections officers.
Nearly 150 awards were given and retirees from the last three years were recognized for accomplishments as members of the department.
Corrections Officer Kevin J. Sherman was named Officer of the Year for his actions during an attack from an inmate toward a probation officer.
Sherman immediately and without regard for his own safety, restrained (the inmate) protecting the probation officer from further harm, according to the award presentation.
Other major awards handed out were the Francis J. Polewicz, III Memorial Award for Correction Officer Jason C. Springer and the Craig C. Harmon Memorial Award given to Deputy Randy S. Fry and Investigator Leonard E. Guagliano.
Niagara County District Attorney Michael Violante and County Clerk Wayne Jagow were among local officials attending Friday’s ceremony.
It was their first award banquet in more than three years — but they’re already preparing for the next one. The department’s next banquet is scheduled to be held next May, Sheriff James Voutour said.
“We’re always excited to get our office together to celebrate the accomplishments of our team,” he said.
