Assembly Resolution No. 534

BY: M. of A. Palmesano

CONGRATULATING Sheriff Ron Spike upon the occasion
of his retirement after more than 50 years of
distinguished service to the Yates County Sheriff's
Office

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished officers and citizens who would devote
themselves to public service, demonstrating great courage and diligence
in providing for the care and welfare of the citizens of their
communities and this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Within every community of the State of New York there are
certain individuals who, by virtue of their commitment and dedication,
command the respect and admiration of their community for their
exemplary contributions and service on behalf of others; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate
Sheriff Ron Spike upon the occasion of his retirement after more than 50
years of distinguished service to the Yates County Sheriff's Office; and

WHEREAS, After earning his degree from Monroe Community College, Ron
Spike followed in his father George's footsteps and began his long and
exemplary career with the Yates County Sheriff's Office in 1970 as a
Deputy Sheriff, road and marine patrol officer and the first agency
youth officer; and

WHEREAS, In 1973, Deputy Sheriff Ron Spike was promoted to the title
of Criminal Investigator, and in 1982, he was promoted to Chief Deputy
Sheriff from a civil service exam by Sheriff Scofield where he
supervised the law enforcement bureau and CID; and

WHEREAS, Chief Deputy Sheriff Ron Spike was then elected Sheriff of
the department, and began his first of eight terms in this role on
January 1, 1992; on December 31, 2023, he will officially retire from
this position as the Senior Sheriff in New York State; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Sheriff Ron Spike, the
department has achieved and maintained professional accreditation status
in five areas which include county police services, county jail
operations, county 9-1-1 dispatch, court security, and the civil
division; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his many years of service, Sheriff Ron Spike has
attended numerous training courses including the 144th session of the
FBI National Academy, the National Sheriffs' Institute, Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute, NYSSA, FLLEA, DCJS, and the Rural Executive
Institute; and

WHEREAS, In 2000, Sheriff Ron Spike served as the President of the
New York State Sheriffs' Association, where he remains a member, and
serves on the Executive Board for the National Sheriffs' Association;
and

WHEREAS, A Certified Police Instructor, Sheriff Ron Spike holds a
governor's appointment as Chairman of the New York State Municipal
Police Training Council and has been reposted by five different
governors continuously since 1997; and

WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his
profession and community, Sheriff Ron Spike was chosen as the 1981 New
York Sheriffs' Association Institute's Deputy of the Year, the only
currently sitting sheriff to have earned that honor, for saving a life
in a house fire; and

WHEREAS, Sheriff Ron Spike was also the third ever recipient of the
Sheriff Grover Cleveland Award, the New York Sheriff's Association
Institute's most prestigious award; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his work with the Yates County Sheriff's
Office, Ron Spike is an active member of his community as a member of
the United Methodist Church, the Shriners, and the Penn Yan Lions Club
where he was honored as a Melvin Jones Fellow; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 51 years, Sue,
their three children, and eight grandchildren, all of whom feel
privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those
dedicated public servants who unselfishly devote their lives to the
preservation of order and the protection of others are worthy and due
full praise for their commitment and noble endeavors; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Sheriff Ron Spike upon the occasion of his retirement after
more than 50 years of distinguished service to the Yates County
Sheriff's Office, and to wish him much success in all his future
endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Sheriff Ron Spike.