STEUBEN COUNTY (WENY) - After more than 40 years in law enforcement, Steuben County Sheriff,David Cole, is taking off his badge. Monday, Steuben County Sheriff, David Cole, was recognized by the Steuben County Legislature for his commitment and service to the community for the past 41 years.
After coming back from Vietnam as a Marine Corp Infantry veteran, Steuben County Sheriff David Cole said he wanted to follow in his father 's footsteps by getting into law enforcement. He worked for the New York State Police for 25 years, was Steuben County Undersheriff for 13 years and was elected to Sheriff four years ago. So after 41 years in law enforcement, he says he 's ready to retire.
When looking back at his time in office, Sheriff Cole says
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Programs he 's most proud of include, instituting all school districts in the county have a school resource officer, the pistol safety course now offered to residents and the creation of the drug task force including the drug tip line. "A lot of our successes were done with all of us and I think Sheriff-elect Allard will follow through on all of the stuff, he has a lot of great ideas himself, he 's a real smart guy," says Sheriff Cole.
Sheriff Cole says he 'll miss the friendship and community between fellow law enforcement agencies the most." One of the things I tried to promote is the comrodary between departments with having the State Police and the Sheriff 's Office and the police departments all work toegther in various cases. My bottom line has always been who cares who does it as long as it gets done," says Sheriff Cole.
As far as plans for the future he says he 's not ready to fully leave law enforcment. "Well my wife said to me last week, 'you 've only done 41 years, what 's going on here? ' So I actually want to do something 20-30 hours a week after I take her to Florida for a couple of months," says Sheriff Cole.
Sheriff Cole will offically retire on Dec. 31 and Sheriff-elect Jim Allard will be sworn