Focus on Crime

Floor Speech

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Mr. LANGWORTHY. Madam Speaker, I thank the vice chair of our Conference, Blake Moore, for yielding me the time.

I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life and service of Chautauqua County Undersheriff Richard Telford, a dedicated public servant who spent over three decades protecting and serving the people of our community.

Rich's passing is a profound loss for Chautauqua County. Those who had the honor of knowing him say that they knew they could always count on Rich. In remembering him, Sheriff Jim Quattrone said: ``Rich was a man of integrity. He could always be counted on to do the right thing.''

Throughout his service, Rich's sense of duty and commitment to the community he grew up in ran very deep.

After graduating from Jamestown High School and studying criminal justice at Jamestown Community College, Rich began his law enforcement career in 1991 with the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office. He quickly rose through the ranks, serving as a deputy, a sergeant overseeing the county's 911 center, a lieutenant, and later a supervisor for court security.

Rich's hard work and his leadership were undeniable. In 2021 he was appointed undersheriff of Chautauqua County, a role in which he continued to lead by strong example.

Rich's dedication to the community wasn't limited to his badge. He is remembered as a loving family man, devoted to his wife Amanda and their three children Katelynn, Andrew, and Alex.

Throughout his career, Rich embodied the qualities that we look for in public servants: integrity, courage, and respect. His actions over 33 years spoke louder than any words. Whether it was investigating fires with the department's fire investigation team or attending the prestigious FBI National Academy, Rich never stopped pushing himself to be better for his community.

Madam Speaker, our hearts are heavy today, but we are filled with gratitude for the life and the legacy of Rich Telford. His dedication and his service to Chautauqua County will not be forgotten.

Your family is in our prayers, Rich, and, Rich, you will be missed, but your contributions will live on through the many lives that you have touched.

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