With the oppressive heat wave finally giving way to picture-perfect weather, Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard shared reflections of gratitude, community pride, and the tireless dedication of his department in his August update. Marking August 1st with personal nostalgia, Allard noted that his late father, a beloved Coopers BOCES instructor from 1967 to 1987, would have turned 93.
“I feel incredibly grateful to live and work in Steuben County and fully enjoy all that it has to offer,” Allard wrote, pointing to everything from farm-fresh vegetables and lake swims to breathtaking sunsets and the upcoming Steuben County Fair.
July was a busy month for the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office. The department welcomed three new members—Correction Officers G. Audinwood and I. Blencowe, and Deputy Noah Warriner, son of longtime Deputy Alan Warriner. The Jail’s Inmate Garden also expanded with plum trees and berry bushes, while several members of the department completed Principled Policing training through DCJS.
Public outreach remained a priority. Deputies provided boater safety courses, water safety instruction at the Sheriff’s Camp on Keuka Lake, and law enforcement training for SUNY Alfred Police Cadets. Sheriff Allard himself attended several key law enforcement conferences, including the NYS Sheriffs’ Association Summer Conference, where topics ranged from AI in public safety to U.S.-Canada border coordination efforts.
In the field, investigators and deputies tackled a heavy caseload that included burglary, robbery, assaults, larceny, drug investigations, and welfare fraud cases. Patrol deputies responded to multiple domestic incidents, mental health emergencies, and made arrests for impaired driving. The office also managed seven death investigations and provided emergency medical assistance across the county.
Despite the challenges, Allard praised his team’s professionalism, noting several commendations from the public for outstanding service.
“We continue to pray for our first responder colleagues and deployed military across the globe, as well as their families,” Allard concluded. “Thank you for supporting the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office in these challenging times and stay safe.”
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