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Thursday, August 27, 2009 7:11 PM EDT

Whitcomb sworn in as acting sheriff

By Rick Miller
Olean Times Herald

Acting Cattaraugus County Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb takes the oath of office Wednesday from County Court Judge Larry Himelein as his son, Burke, and Sharon John, widow of the late Sheriff Dennis, look on during the ceremony in the County Legislature chambers. Photo by Rick Miller/Olean Times Herald

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LITTLE VALLEY – Timothy S. Whitcomb was sworn in Wednesday as acting Cattaraugus County sheriff, capping a week of sorrow over the death of Sheriff Dennis B. John.

Acting Sheriff Whitcomb was sworn in by Cattaraugus County Court Judge Larry M. Himelein as his son, Burke, stood beside him and Sheriff John’s widow, Sharon John, stood next to him holding a Bible as he recited the oath of office in the County Legislature chambers.

“It’s odd to hear congratulations,” Acting Sheriff Whitcomb said after he was sworn in before county lawmakers, sheriff’s office employees and supporters. “I want to convey that I appreciate everyone’s support.”

He was undersheriff to Sheriff John, who took his own life Aug. 18.

The acting sheriff also thanked the four political parties that had nominated him to run for sheriff in November. Sheriff John had received the same endorsements from the Republican, Democrat, Conservative and Independence parties.

“It will go a long way to assist this agency to heal and for us to assist the county in the way we are supposed to,” he said.

A state police spokeswoman, Rebecca Gibbons said Wednesday state police and sheriff’s investigators have completed their investigation into Sheriff John’s death on Sunfish Run Road in the town of Coldspring on the morning of Aug. 18, an apparent suicide.

Republican leaders met with Acting Sheriff Whitcomb on Monday to offer their endorsement, which he accepted the following day. On Tuesday, he met with Democratic, Conservative and Independence party leaders in Olean, and was also offered their endorsements, which he accepted. Kyle Munzert, a retired Buffalo policeman from Franklinville who ran as a Democrat against Sheriff John in 2005, was also interviewed Tuesday.

(Contact reporter Rick Miller at rmiller@oleantimesherald.com)

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