Assembly Resolution No. 657

BY: M. of A. McMahon

MOURNING the death of John B. Askey, renowned
police chief, devoted family man, and distinguished
member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to convey its
grateful appreciation and heartfelt regret in recognition of the loss of
a courageous police officer who dedicated his life and career in
faithful service to his family, community and the Amherst Police
Department; and

WHEREAS, It is with profound sadness that this Legislative Body
records the passing of retired Amherst Police Chief John B. Askey,
noting the significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, John B. Askey, who played a key role in making Amherst the
safest community in the country during his tenure as police chief, died
on May 20, 2023, at the age of 84; and

WHEREAS, John B. "Jay" Askey was born in Buffalo, New York, one of
six children, and attended Kenmore High School; he enlisted in the
United States Navy in 1956, during which time he served as an aviation
electronics technician and attained the rank of petty officer third
class; and

WHEREAS, John B. Askey began his illustrious career with the Amherst
Police Department as a patrolman in 1963, before being promoted to
patrol lieutenant in 1969 and patrol captain in 1972; and

WHEREAS, After earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from
what is now Buffalo State University in 1975, John B. Askey graduated
from the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Program; and

WHEREAS, John B. Askey was then named by Chief Herbert E. Zimmerman
to head planning for the department's move from Williamsville to John
Jay Audubon Parkway; he was instrumental in the construction of the new
headquarters building, which opened in 1979, and in the establishment of
a computer-aided dispatch system; and

WHEREAS, In 1979, John B. Askey became Zimmerman's administrative
assistant, handling media relations, personnel, internal investigations,
records and communications; during this time, he was largely responsible
for writing rules for the department and setting up operating
procedures; and

WHEREAS, John B. Askey was appointed Chief in December of 1988, only
the third chief to serve the Amherst Police Department, which was
founded in 1924; and

WHEREAS, In this capacity, Chief John B. Askey created a Family
Offense Unit to deal with domestic violence cases and initiated bike
patrols, neighborhood outreach programs and a Drug Abuse Resistance
Education (DARE) program for youth; he also oversaw the response to the
Spring of Life anti-abortion protests in 1992, and coordinated the

town's massive security effort for the World University Games at the
University at Buffalo in 1993; and

WHEREAS, Chief John B. Askey put his department at the forefront
among suburban communities by introducing semi-automatic pistols as
standard sidearms for his officers in 1990; he regularly was thrust into
Amherst's ongoing debate about controlling deer, which included a
bait-and-shoot program carried out by police; and

WHEREAS, Most notably, under his able leadership, Money magazine
declared Amherst, Buffalo's most populous suburb, the safest large
municipality in the nation two years in a row (1996 and 1997); and

WHEREAS, After serving the Amherst Police Department with
dedication, loyalty and compassion for 36 years, Chief John B. Askey
retired in January of 1999; he received numerous awards, including the
Erie County Bar Association's Police Officer Award; and

WHEREAS, In retirement, John B. Askey enjoyed golf, spending time
with his family, and wintering in New Smyrna Beach, Florida; his son,
John C., succeeded him as chief in 2007 and retired in 2021; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his
community, John B. Askey was a longtime member of the users committee of
Erie County Central Police Services and a member of the State Division
of Criminal Justice planning committee; he was also a member of Amherst
Township Post No. 416, Veterans of Foreign Wars; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his wife of 61 years, the former Shirley
Duscher, survivors include three sons, Timothy, John C. and David; two
brothers, Thomas and Gerald "Bill"; four grandchildren and two
great-grandsons; and

WHEREAS, John B. Askey's infinite selflessness and benevolence will
shine on through his family's vivid and happy memories; his insight and
strength will forever serve as a beacon of love, light and hope to the
countless lives he touched; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, John B. Askey leaves behind a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all who
were privileged to have known and loved such an amazing man; he will be
deeply missed and truly merits the grateful tribute of this Legislative
Body; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of John B. Askey, and to express its deepest condolences
to his family; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of John B. Askey.