Community Spotlight

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Department is our August 2026 Community Spotlight.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office is one of the longest serving public offices in continuous operation in Delaware County. Following the establishment of Delaware County in 1797 by the New York State Legislature, the Office of the Sheriff was one of first offices created thereafter. The county’s first sheriff Elias Butler was appointed to maintain law and order, serve the needs of the courts, collect taxes, and oversee the newly built county jail on the Courthouse Square in Delhi.

During the 19th century, the Sheriff’s Office played a critical role in protecting the county’s largely rural communities. Deputies served legal processes, transported prisoners, and maintained security at the courthouse and jail. The Sheriff’s Office was also heavily involved during the Anti-Rent War of the 1840s, when Sheriffs were responsible for enforcing court orders against tenant farmers and preserving public order during periods of unrest.

As time passed, the needs of the people and society changed, and with that, the Sheriff’s Office evolved and expanded their operations to include:

• Uniform road patrol across the county.
• Criminal investigations.
• Civil process and court security
• Operation of the Delaware County Correctional Facility
• Emergency response and partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement.

Today, the Sheriff’s Office, under the leadership of current Sheriff, Craig S. DuMond is in its 229th year of continuous service.  We strive daily to uphold the mission of our Office by serving our community with honor, integrity, professionalism and compassion. Through our dedicated service, we are committed to protecting life and property, preserving the peace, enforcing the laws of NYS fairly, and earning the trust and respect of the citizens we are privileged to serve.