Page 2 - Delaware County Sheriff Annual Report

This report is dedicated
IN MEMORY
Of
Retired Sheriff Paul Peterson
Paul Harlowe Peterson
(July 18, 1934 - March 9, 2012)
Sheriff: 1986 - 1998
We value the contribution made by each of our Sheriffs. Ever since Elias Butler first held
office in 1797, each Sheriff has left an indelible mark on the history of this Office. Each would no
doubt be surprised to know the extent to which crime-solving-technology has evolved and the
sophistication of the equipment our Office now employs. What they all shared in common, was the
honor of having been the top law enforcement officer in Delaware County. For a time each has felt
the pulse of the County and borne the responsibility of making tough decisions.
Retired Sheriff Paul Harlowe Peterson, 77, of Walton passed away unexpectedly on Friday,
March 9, 2013, at Fox Hospital in Oneonta, following a long and courageous struggle with
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Sheriff Peterson was both an introspective and accomplished
leader, who played his cards close to his chest and calculated the consequences of his decisions much
as a chess player plans the strategy of his game. He will be sorely missed by his devoted family and
remembered for both his community involvement and personal victories. He will be remembered as
a fine baseball player who had been scouted by the NY Yankees while still in High School. He
declined their offer (since he was a Cubbies fan) and that decision as they say set the wheels in
motion for planting his life in Delaware County.
Although the years since Sheriff Peterson was in Office have effected many changes, there
are still those of us who recall the privilege of having served during Sheriff Peterson’s administration.
As a unit we convey our heartfelt sympathy to the Peterson family for their loss.