QRF members received proclamations after beach clean-up and picnic event

Erie County, NY – On Saturday, May 8, 20121, Erie County Legislator John Gilmour, D – Town of Hamburg, sponsored a beach clean-up with the Erie County Sheriff’s Police Benevolent Association (PBA) at Wendt Beach County Park. Site of the former Wendt Mansion, the beach features walkable shoreline trails and is a frequent site of beach combers, looking for sea glass. Several bags of garbage, decaying leaves, and even rubber tires were removed by the crew.

After lunch, Legislator Gilmour, Vice Chair of the Legislature’s Public Safety Committee presented members of the Sheriff Office’s Quick Reaction Force (QRF) with Legislative Proclamations honoring their designation as Deputies of the Year. The PBA gives the award yearly for brave and heroic actions of their members. Last year, the team located and prevented an individual from committing acts of self-harm while administering first aid until first responders arrived on the scene.

Legislator Gilmour stated, “The actions of these deputies were truly heroic and prevented a tragedy that would have undoubtedly had ripple effects among our close knit Erie County community. I am proud to honor them as Deputies of the Year, and I am grateful that the PBA gave me the opportunity to recognize their work.”

While the award is typically given at the annual Christmas Party, due to COVID restrictions, presentation was delayed until it was safe to do so. QRF Deputies that were honored are Detective Brent Francis, Deputy Andrew Carriero, Deputy Christien Ginnane, Deputy Matthew Krypel, Deputy Brian Pauly, Deputy Anthony Pellittieri, and Deputy Christopher Schreiber.

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