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Putnam Republicans Choose Sheriff Candidate
Undersheriff will replace McConville on ballot
The Putnam Republican Committee on Aug. 28 chose the county's recently named undersheriff to replace the late Kevin McConville as its candidate for sheriff in the November election.
Brian Hess received the endorsement during a meeting that evening, according to the committee. A day earlier, hundreds of law enforcement officers from the Hudson Valley and New York City descended on Cold Spring for the funeral at Our Lady of Loretto for McConville, a village native and resident who died Aug. 22 at age 68.
Acting Sheriff Brian Hess
Although McConville's cause of death has not been disclosed, his illness was serious enough that in June he ended his bid for re-election to a second 4-year term. His name remained on the ballot because state law prevents political parties from replacing candidates except if they die or are disqualified.
Two weeks before he died, McConville appointed Hess, a lieutenant with the Westchester County Police Department, to oversee the Sheriff's Office. Hess succeeded Thomas Lindert, who retired.
"I'm honored and excited to receive the Republican endorsement," Hess said in a statement. "I look forward to working with everyone here to keep Putnam safe and strong for our families and future."
Hess, who holds a bachelor's degree from John Jay College, spent 20 months as a communications operator with the Fire Control Division of Westchester County's Department of Emergency Services before joining the New York Police Department. He left in 1999, after 18 months, to join the Westchester department. There, Hess rose in rank to lieutenant, founding the Westchester-Putnam Real Time Crime Center to enable intelligence-sharing between more than 65 local, state and federal agencies.
On Tuesday (Sept. 2), Hess named his replacement as undersheriff: James Menton, a Carmel resident and retired NYPD detective working as an investigator with the Westchester County District Attorney's Office.
Ralph Cilento, chief investigator for the Putnam County District Attorney's Office; Eric Grutzner, chief of the Pleasantville Police Department; and Mike Cazzari, the supervisor for the Town of Carmel, were among the other candidates who interviewed for the endorsement, said Andres Gil, chair for the Putnam Republican Committee.
Hess' law enforcement background and vision swayed committee members, he said. "He's a visionary leader who's going to have a very positive impact on the sheriff's office and our community."
The committee also interviewed Larry Burke, a Cold Spring police officer. Although he did not win the endorsement, Burke will appear on the November ballot on the independent Serve & Protect party line.
Burke, 59, has worked in law enforcement for 37 years, including 26 years with the NYPD. He joined the Cold Spring department in 2013 and served as officer-in-charge for seven years. He resigned in 2024 but continues as a part-time officer. Burke has also been a volunteer firefighter with North Highlands Fire Co. for 12 years.
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By Highlands CurrentUndersheriff will replace McConville on ballot
The Putnam Republican Committee on Aug. 28 chose the county's recently named undersheriff to replace the late Kevin McConville as its candidate for sheriff in the November election.
Brian Hess received the endorsement during a meeting that evening, according to the committee. A day earlier, hundreds of law enforcement officers from the Hudson Valley and New York City descended on Cold Spring for the funeral at Our Lady of Loretto for McConville, a village native and resident who died Aug. 22 at age 68.
Acting Sheriff Brian Hess
Although McConville's cause of death has not been disclosed, his illness was serious enough that in June he ended his bid for re-election to a second 4-year term. His name remained on the ballot because state law prevents political parties from replacing candidates except if they die or are disqualified.
Two weeks before he died, McConville appointed Hess, a lieutenant with the Westchester County Police Department, to oversee the Sheriff's Office. Hess succeeded Thomas Lindert, who retired.
"I'm honored and excited to receive the Republican endorsement," Hess said in a statement. "I look forward to working with everyone here to keep Putnam safe and strong for our families and future."
Hess, who holds a bachelor's degree from John Jay College, spent 20 months as a communications operator with the Fire Control Division of Westchester County's Department of Emergency Services before joining the New York Police Department. He left in 1999, after 18 months, to join the Westchester department. There, Hess rose in rank to lieutenant, founding the Westchester-Putnam Real Time Crime Center to enable intelligence-sharing between more than 65 local, state and federal agencies.
On Tuesday (Sept. 2), Hess named his replacement as undersheriff: James Menton, a Carmel resident and retired NYPD detective working as an investigator with the Westchester County District Attorney's Office.
Ralph Cilento, chief investigator for the Putnam County District Attorney's Office; Eric Grutzner, chief of the Pleasantville Police Department; and Mike Cazzari, the supervisor for the Town of Carmel, were among the other candidates who interviewed for the endorsement, said Andres Gil, chair for the Putnam Republican Committee.
Hess' law enforcement background and vision swayed committee members, he said. "He's a visionary leader who's going to have a very positive impact on the sheriff's office and our community."
The committee also interviewed Larry Burke, a Cold Spring police officer. Although he did not win the endorsement, Burke will appear on the November ballot on the independent Serve & Protect party line.
Burke, 59, has worked in law enforcement for 37 years, including 26 years with the NYPD. He joined the Cold Spring department in 2013 and served as officer-in-charge for seven years. He resigned in 2024 but continues as a part-time officer. Burke has also been a volunteer firefighter with North Highlands Fire Co. for 12 years.