Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey J. Murphy was born on September 9, 1960 to James and Alice Murphy and is a 1978 graduate of Hudson Falls High School, attended Adirondack Community College, and the Zone 5 Law Enforcement Academy.
One year later he joined the Hudson Falls Police Department where he would go on to serve for twenty years retiring as Deputy Chief of Police.
Since being elected in 2011, Sheriff Murphy has spent his time in Office making sweeping changes within the agency. All of these ideas, philosophies and platforms have had one intended goal, to elevate the perception of the office in the minds of the public and enhance its ability to provide professional law enforcement and correctional services to the people of Washington County.
The Sheriff has started many community based programs under this “Community First” initiative including a Law Enforcement Explorers Post available to youths aged 14-20 who are interested in Law Enforcement as a career which was recognized by the Boy Scouts of America for “significant leadership” to the youth of the County.
Sheriff Murphy also founded the Hometown vs. Heroin and Addiction Committee in response to the opiate epidemic and developed a diversion program offering treatment in lieu of incarceration for those struggling with addiction.
The U.S. Department of Justice recently recognized the Sheriff with an award stating “Under your leadership, the men and women of the Sheriff’s office have implemented a culture of community engagement promoting strong relationships between law enforcement, families, and the communities they serve.” The award went on to say “Community First greatly enhanced the quality of life for the citizens of the Northern District of New York and people of the United States of America.