As winter weather rolls into Steuben County, the Sheriff’s Office is reflecting on a month of loss, service, and community connection.
In the department’s latest newsletter, Sheriff Jim Allard paid tribute to retired Schuyler County Sheriff Bill Yessman, a longtime law enforcement leader who passed away just after Thanksgiving. Yessman chaired the region’s tri-county law enforcement training zone for 16 years and was described by Allard as a friend and regional icon who “will be missed by all who knew him”.
From career days to court upgrades
November was packed with outreach, training, and high-level meetings. Deputies collected ballots on Election Day and launched a countywide records management system on Veterans Day after months of preparation.
Community visits included presentations by Deputies Phelps and Schafer at Prattsburgh Central School’s Career Day, as well as holiday deliveries from the Steuben County Federated Republican Women. The Sheriff’s Honor Guard also presented colors at a regional inter-county meeting.
Sheriff Allard appeared at multiple events, including a counter-terrorism briefing in Elmira, a Veterans Day ceremony at the Corning VFW, and a ribbon cutting at the Corning Library for a new virtual justice hub—reportedly the first of its kind in the Seventh Judicial District.
Inmates and officers team up to deliver meals
The newsletter highlights the department’s involvement in The Family Meal Project, where correctional officers and inmates worked side by side to provide free holiday meals to residents in Steuben and Yates counties. New England Foods donated the food, and goody bags filled with essentials were added to each delivery. Officers volunteered to make the deliveries themselves.
Crime investigations and continued training
Deputies and investigators handled a heavy caseload in November, including:
- 4 assault investigations
- 3 trespass cases
- 6 larcenies
- 3 sexual assault investigations
- 2 fire investigations
- 4 death investigations
- 5 criminal contempt cases
- 2 fugitive from justice arrests
- Multiple mental health detainments and domestic incidents
In addition, officers continued CPR, defensive tactics, and firearms training. Staff also attended conferences and seminars focused on arson, intelligence, women in law enforcement, and investigative photography.
“Outstanding performance”
Despite the challenges, Sheriff Allard said the team received “multiple commendations from the public” for their work and praised his deputies and correctional officers for their professionalism and dedication.
He closed with thanks to the community and a reminder of the department’s mission: “Professionalism. Integrity. Leadership. Service.”
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