POUGHKEEPSIE – On Thursday morning, Dutchess County Sheriff Butch Anderson, joined by other elected officials and members of Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) to pay tribute to officers killed in the line of duty and those associated with his office that passed away. The somber ceremony took place at the Dutchess County Law Enforcement Center on Parker Avenue.
“We must honor our fallen and our best,” Anderson told those assembled. Addressing the audience, the 50-year-veteran of law enforcement stressed the need for the public to work with law enforcement to improve relations between police and the community. “We want to do our jobs without people killing us,” Anderson said. He also spoke of modern policing and trends of police reform. “The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office is way ahead of the curve,” Anderson said, noting that he has a program in place to improve diversity in the ranks of his office.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro addressed the political climate surrounding reform by saying “Communities are not made safer by defunding the police.” The leader of the county expressed his thanks to the officers gathered, on behalf of all of Dutchess County. “We are proud of the tireless efforts of the men and women in law enforcement that have faced enormous challenges over the last 16 months,” he said.
The ceremony was concluded with a wreath-laying ceremony while Anderson read the names of five DCSO deputies that gave their lives in the line of duty and five employees associated with the DCSO that passed away in the last 12 months.
