LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring James D. Bowen upon the occasion of his
retirement from the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office after nearly 50
years of distinguished service

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished officers and citizens who 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 exem-
plary contributions and service on behalf of others; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concerns, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
James D. Bowen upon the occasion of his retirement from the Saratoga
County Sheriff's Office after nearly 50 years of distinguished service;
and
WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of Saratoga County, James D. Bowen is the
longest tenured Sheriff in New York State; he began his illustrious
career as a Saratoga County Deputy Sheriff in November of 1965; and
WHEREAS, Less than three years later, he was promoted to Investigator;
in December of 1972, then Governor Nelson Rockefeller appointed James D.
Bowen Sheriff of Saratoga County; after his appointment, he was re-e-
lected to 11 more terms beginning in 1973; and
WHEREAS, Sheriff James D. Bowen, as a member of the United States
Army, served his country for 15 months in Korea; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of the FBI Academy, James D. Bowen is also a grad-
uate of the New York State Office of Local Government, Division for
Local Police, and Basic and Intermediate Police Schools; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, he attended the Moran Institute, and St.
Lawrence University, as well as numerous police and corrections schools;
and
WHEREAS, Sheriff James D. Bowen has been called upon to contribute his
time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has
always given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Saratoga County has a population of 219,607 and an
area of 815 square miles; in 1972, when Sheriff James D. Bowen was
appointed, there were only five deputies; and
WHEREAS, Over the 41 years he served as Saratoga County Sheriff, the
force has grown to 110 deputies in the Department's Road Patrol, a
Communication Center with a staff of over 30, and a Correctional Facili-
ty staffed by 75; and
WHEREAS, Sheriff James D. Bowen is well-known and admired for not just
meeting expectations, but exceeding them; he has served honorably and
with the highest standards of commitment and integrity for more than
four decades; 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
honor James D. Bowen upon the occasion of his retirement from the Sara-
toga County Sheriff's Office after nearly 50 years of distinguished
service, and to wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sheriff James D. Bowen.