News Updates

News from the Sheriff's Office

Monroe County Sheriff's Office

Public Information Officer
Office (585) 753-2978

K-9 Unit Receives Five New Canines

January 10, 2005

Sheriff Patrick O’Flynn today announced the addition of five new canines to the Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, made possible by the Sheriff’s Foundation. “With this purchase the Sheriff’s Foundation will support our efforts to provide exemplary K-9 services to the residents of Monroe County and promote officer safety for the Sheriff’s Office and all of the local police agencies,” said Sheriff O’Flynn. “This is one of many contributions made by the Foundation that have had direct impact on the quality of service our deputies are able provide.”

The Sheriff’s Foundation provided $35,000 for the purchase of five canines and related equipment. “The Foundation is always happy to support the Sheriff’s Office in any way possible that directly impacts the community,” said John Riedman, President of the Sheriff’s Foundation.

The canines were purchased from Amsel Training Kennels L.L.C., Akron, NY and were imported from Czechoslovakia. The Czech shepherd breed is preferred because of their sociability and ability to track and detect narcotics.

The new canines – Odie, Aron, Czar, Frankie and Mic, recently began their 14-weeks of basic training. Three of the dogs will receive an additional 6-weeks of nitrate training and two dogs will receive 6-weeks of specialized narcotics training.

Deputy Galen J. Herren

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 4, 2005

On December 3, 2005, at 8:41 PM, Deputy Galen J. Herren was on his way to the Zone B substation to begin work. Herren was traveling on Route 590 south near the Monroe Avenue exit when he was struck head on by a vehicle traveling the wrong way. Jayne Miner, 36, of 1660 Heath Markham Road, Honeoye Falls, NY, was driving her vehicle northbound on Route 590 south. Both Deputy Herren and Miner were pronounced dead at the scene.

The New York State Police and the Monroe County Sheriff's Office are investigating the crash.

Deputy Herren was 39 years of age. He was not married and did not have any children.

Deputy Herren began working for the Sheriff’s Office on August 15, 2005, transferring from the NYS Park Police. Herren Graduated the NYSPP Academy in June of 2002, where he was named "Session Leader" and received the physical fitness award for his academy session. Officer Herren was highly trained with the NYSPP. He was a firearms instructor, defensive tactics instructor, background investigator, breath test operator, Young Boater & Snow mobile instructor and a lead coordinator for numerous volunteer programs.

In 2003 Major David Page of the NYSPP recognized Herren for his commendable efforts in locating the out of town family of a drowned boy and then making the death notify to the family and transporting them to the scene. Herren remained on-scene, acting as a professional and compassionate point of contact for the family of the child who had drowned in Watkins Glenn State Park. This act moved the family to submit a card to the NYSPP on behalf of Herren, thanking him for his actions.

Prior to working for the NYSPP, Herren worked as a Public Safety Officer for Rochester General Hospital.

While working for the Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Herren demonstrated a high level of competence and commitment.

Dale Trimmer Arrested In Internet Sting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 18, 2005

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office announces the arrest of Dale Trimmer, DOB 11-18-74, of 227 W. Commercial Street, East Rochester, NY, on one count of Disseminating Indecent Material to a Minor in the First Degree, a felony. Trimmer was arrested on Thursday afternoon and arraigned in Chili Town Court. Trimmer was remanded to the Monroe County Jail on $5,000 cash bail

Trimmer used the Internet to entice a 14-year-old female to meet him at an area mall for the purpose of engaging in sex at a different location.

During a previous on-line conversation between an undercover deputy and Trimmer, the deputy agreed to meet with Trimmer at the mall.

Dale Trimmer was a volunteer with the East Rochester Ambulance Corp.

Michael Develder Arrested For Murder After 4-hour Standoff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 17, 2005

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Rochester Police Department announces the arrest of Michael L. DeVelder, 51, of 1370 Paul Road, Chil, NY.

On Thursday, November 17, 2005, shortly after 9:00 AM, DeVelder shot and killed Lucy Palmer, 76, in her home at 146 Attridge Road, Chili, NY. Develder then shot Holly Palmer, 36, of the same address, wounding her in the leg.

DeVelder fled the scene in a maroon 1999 GMC Sierra, bearing NY license plate #50950JC. The vehicle information was broadcast and released to the media.

At approximately 1:30 PM, a Rochester Police Department officer located DeVelder at 200 Breck Street in the City.

DeVelder was apprehended after a four-hour standoff.
 

Sheriff's Office Operation SAFE CHILD

OPERATION SAFE CHILD SCHEDULED EVENTS

March 30, 2007, Spring Event at the Penfield Recreation Center, 1985 Baird Road, Penfield, NY, 4:45 - 7:30 PM

April 14, 2007, Spring Event at the Penfield YMCA, 1835 Fairport-Nine Mile Point Road (Route 250), Penfield, NY, 14526, 1:00 - 4:00 PM

April 20, 2007, St. John's Lutheran Church, 1107 Lake Road, Hamlin, NY, 14464, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

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On October 15, 2005, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office joined the Governor's state-wide initiative - Operation SAFE CHILD. The program provides photo ID cards that contain fingerprint and biographical data to individuals under the age of 18.

The goal of this program is to record and store the fingerprints, basic biographical information and photographs of children who are not missing -- information critical to expediting the return of a missing child. Operation SAFE CHILD will be available to interested parents and families statewide and is entirely voluntary. The storage of information will require the written consent of a parent or legal guardian. The information gathered will be digitally recorded and stored at a separate database at New York State Department Of Criminal Justice Services. In the event DCJS receives a missing child report, the fingerprints of that child will be included in a special search file and compared against all incoming fingerprints submitted to DCJS. Once included in the database, parents or lawful guardians can request that information be purged at any time and, after a missing child turns 18, the fingerprints will be purged from the database.

Beginning October 18, 2005, the Sheriff's Office beganl processing CHILD SAFE photo ID's at 30 West Broad Street, Rochester, NY 14614 (4th floor) map-it.. Appointments may be during the following times:
Tuesday 9:00 - 11:00 AM
Wednesday 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 - 11:00 AM

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT OR FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 753-4759.

Operation SAFE CHILD will be held at locations throughout Monroe County (i.e. shopping malls, special events, etc.). As these venues are scheduled, information will be made available on this page. Please check periodically for updates.

Thomas Kelly Jr. Arrested For Murder -August 1, 2005

On Sunday, July 31, 2005, at 7:18 PM, Sheriff’s deputies responded to 163 Meadow Farms, Chili, for a call to check the welfare of an individual.

Deputies arrived at the residence to find Thomas Kelly Jr., DOB 2-10-68, of 163 Meadow Farms, exiting the residence with visible lacerations to his forearms. He was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Inside the residence deputies found Melody L. Kelly, DOB 7-27-71, of 163 Meadow Farms, deceased in the basement. The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office has yet to rule on the cause and time of death.

The Kelly’s two children, a four-year old boy and a two-year old girl, were not at the residence when deputies arrived – they had been staying with a relative.

Thomas Kelly was arraigned in Riga Town Court and charged with Murder in the Second Degree. Kelly was remanded to the Monroe County Jail without bail and is scheduled to appear in Riga Town Court on August 5 at 1:00 PM.

Sheriff's Star Student Award Recipients

March 15, 2005

Sheriff Patrick O'Flynn is proud to announce the recipients of the Sheriff's Star Student Award. Of the many qualified nominations that were received, the students that were ultimately selected distinguished themselves through exemplary behavior that embodies the core values of the Sheriff's Office. We commend them on their achievement.

Each student received a $100 check from the Sheriff's Foundation and an Apple ipod from Rnews. Congratulations to the Sheriff's Star Students on their achievement.