Record Group 15 - Department of Public Safety
The Westchester County Department of Public Safety was created on July 1, 1979, through a merger of the Westchester County Sheriff’s Department and the Westchester County Parkway Police. They are committed to increasing the safety and security of all those who live, work and recreate in Westchester County.
"In Memoriam" Collection, 1792, 1925-1985
Series 285
Less than 1 cubic ft. Arranged chronologically. View box and folder list.
Single page notices circulated to Department of Public Safety personnel via e-mail on anniversary of deaths of 17 Public Safety (mostly County Parkway Police) officers who died while on active duty (most in the line of duty). Notices can include the officer's name, date of incident, incident details, and biographical details on officer, although the extent of the details varies. Some of the folders include photographs of the officers. The dates of the incidents run from 1792 (the nation's first law officer killed in the line of duty) to 1925-1985.
Sheriff Darius Lyon Receipt Book, 1865-1871, 1888
Series 286
1 v. Arranged chronologically.
Book in which Westchester County Sheriff Darius Lyon pasted receipts for payments made for supplies and for bail and other law enforcement expenses, some of which were made after his term had ended. Sheriff Lyon was elected by the public to serve as County Sheriff from 1865-1868.
Sheriff's Summons and Orders of Arrest Register, 1865-1867
Series 189
1 v. Arranged by court term.
Book recording service of documents by sheriff and his deputies. Volume is divided into three separate sections, including one specifically designated as for the Court of Oyer and Terminer. First section was for several courts, including Westchester Supreme Court, County Court, and Surrogates Court. Information recorded includes names of defendants, plaintiffs, attorneys, and who made the service, whether the defendant was served or not found, date of service and fees collected.
Sheriff’s Department and Parkway Police Merger Files, 1956-1989
Series 404
1 cu. ft. Arranged chronologically. View box and folder list.
The first sheriff was appointed in 1683 by the governor and the council of New York; it was not until 1846 that New York State constitution implemented sheriff as elected position. In 1929, the Westchester County Parkway Police was started when Westchester County Park Commission brought a handful of men from New York City to patrol the new Bronx River Parkway. These departments were merged in 1979 to create the Westchester County Department of Public Safety Services, which now contains the Westchester County Police, Office of Crime Control Planning, Division of Services, and Office of Disaster and Emergency Services.
This collection showcases a transitional time for the Westchester County Police, and contains the planning and budgeting of that merger which created the Department of Public Safety Services. This collection has been divided into three series: the Parkway Police (1956-1979), Consolidation of Westchester County Parkway Police and Sheriff’s Department (1972-1989), which contains the budget, planning, and correspondence relating to the merger; and Steven B. Acunto (1974-1983), which contains Director of the Crime Prevention Acunto’s files on the Department of Crime Prevention and the Youth Activities Unit.