PAWLING – Dutchess County Sheriff Adrian “Butch” Anderson has passed away. The 73-year-old veteran law enforcement officer died in his sleep overnight.
Butch, as most people call him joined the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy on December 1, 1970. He graduated from the FBI Law Enforcement Academy in Quantico, Virginia in 1977. In 1993, he was named undersheriff of his beloved department and was elected sheriff in 1999. He celebrated 50 years in law enforcement with the department in 2020.
“Today we have lost an extraordinary public servant with the passing of Dutchess County Sheriff Adrian ‘Butch’ Anderson. Butch devoted his entire life to protecting and serving the community he loved so dearly. Throughout his life, he was true leader – in law enforcement,” said County Executive Marc Molinaro. “in elected office, and in service to community organizations. His call to serve ensured the safety of our community for more than 50 years and made a measurable difference in the lives of countless children, families and residents.”
“Our community has lost a true hero, and words hardly feel like enough to articulate the full debt of gratitude we owe to the Sheriff and his loved ones,” said State Senator Sue Serino. “Sheriff Butch Anderson was not only a dear personal friend, but someone who felt like a father, a brother, and confidant to everyone who crossed his path. He truly was a steadfast and selfless leader who treated our whole community like family.”
Anderson served the county “with dignity and civility for decades, and he will be long remembered as one of the truly gifted leaders of the Hudson Valley,” said Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison. “Aside from his deep law enforcement credentials and successes, Butch was a community man, a gifted speaker, and he had an undeniable presence about him. I know I speak for many today when I say a tremendous void has been created by his death.”
Orange County Sheriff Carl DuBois has fond memories of his colleague.
“When John McCain visited Dutchess County quite a few years ago, Butch was the master of ceremonies for the event and he introduced me to John McCain. I got a nice picture with John McCain and then-Congresswoman Sue Kelly,” DuBois said.
“Sheriff Anderson possessed all the finest qualities which create an exemplary officer of law enforcement, and throughout his half-century of service, had the chance to shape and inspire entire generations of law enforcement officers and public servants who share in grief at his passing,” said Fishkill Town Supervisor Ozzy Albra.
Anderson also served as the village mayor of his hometown of Pawling from 1983-1991.
The sheriff leaves behind his wife, Danielle Giametta Anderson, three sons, and a stepdaughter that he adored.
In December of 2020, an enormous celebration of Butch’s storied career in law enforcement was held, including a parade that escorted the sheriff from Pawling to his office in Poughkeepsie. The coverage of that celebration can be found here.
