OSWEGO – Former Oswego County Sheriff Reuel “Moe” Todd received the honor of a lifetime, the Oswego County Public Safety Building dedicated in his honor Friday, Oct. 21 as throngs of people came to celebrate the beloved sheriff.
The warm sun shone brightly on the crowd as they gathered, current Sheriff Don Hilton respectfully leading the dedication service.
A lineup of recruits, an honor guard, a full company of deputy sheriffs, state and local officials, former and current public safety employees, friends, family and a heartfelt community came together to thank the sheriff for his years of undying dedication and loyalty to the public.
Speakers included New York State Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, former New York State Senator Jim Wright, NYS Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, Oswego County Legislature Chairman James Weatherup and Todd’s brother, former Oswego County Court Judge Donald E. Todd.
Hilton began the ceremony by marking the kindness and influence his predecessor had on him as he began his career as a young recruit.
“I want to personally thank you for what you’ve done for law enforcement. I know you personally – my career began interviewing with then Undersheriff Todd, and [I want to] thank you for allowing me the career I’ve had,” Hilton said. “Again, all these men and women here – hundreds that have served our community because of the opportunity that you gave them. Thank you.”
Wright was the first to speak, marking his admiration of the sheriff’s undying loyalty to the county and the community’s response in honoring him.
“I’m pleased the County of Oswego Legislature, Sheriff’s Department and the people of Oswego have chosen to recognize Sheriff Todd. This is a man has given his entire adult life and career to the Oswego County Sheriff’s Department and to serve the people of Oswego County,” Wright said. “I think in this day and age when law enforcement is under the gun, literally, it’s good that we take the time to set aside this opportunity to recognize someone who dedicated their entire life to law enforcement. Well done, Moe.”
Wright also recognized Todd’s wife, Valerie, for all the hard work and dedication put forth throughout her husband’s career, saying “she’s never left him, she’s always been there for him when he needed her; so I hope at some point there’s room in here that goes to recognize Valerie.”
Barclay added his sentiments on Todd’s unwavering allegiance and work ethic throughout his career as sheriff.
“I would say naming this Public Safety Building after Moe Todd just seems right. I can’t think of anyone really more deserving. He started off as a deputy and became a sergeant, criminal investigator, undersheriff and then sheriff and then president of the New York State Sheriff’s Association,” Barclay said. “I’m hard pressed to know anybody that put their time, efforts and really their lives into law enforcement like Moe did, and obviously having the support of Val. We miss you, and thank you for the great service you gave to the people of Oswego County.”
Tenney reflected back to Todd’s respect for her as new staffer for former Assemblyman Dave Townsend, never knowing then that she herself would climb to the ranks of congresswoman.
“When I got into the Assembly to represent Oswego which was a distinct honor, you were always so helpful dealing with some of the issues we faced then, and now that are even greater. This is a tremendous honor, and to think Oswego is going to be able to name its Public Safety Building after you. People have come from far and wide to recognize you and to honor you [on] this day, and we also want to honor you with something from Washington,” Tenney said. “We were able to get a flag flown over the U.S. Capital on your behalf. This flag was flown in your honor in dedication of the Oswego County Safety Building – In honor of Sheriff Reuel Moe Todd; and that you exemplify the true service to the community. And our community thanks you for your many years of service and your devotion to this community and everyone in Oswego. We are so grateful for your service, your hard work, your honesty and your integrity in this position and we wish you the best. And to your family, we are so grateful and thank you so much.”
Weatherup noted the fierce devotion and utmost loyalty Todd and his department had for one another, adding his conviction in dedicating the building to the Sheriff.
“I want to again thank Sheriff Todd for his impeccable record of service and dedication to this community. I cannot think of a more appropriate person to dedicate this building to permanently memorializing his service to this community. Not only did Sheriff Todd care deeply about this community, but his affection and respect for the men and women in his department was always evident. And the loyalty these officers showed in return speaks volumes to his leadership,” Weatherup said. “The commitment of Sheriff Todd and his deputies are a model for any law enforcement agency and his influence is still felt in the department today and will be for many years to come. Thank you Sheriff Todd for your lasting impact on this community.”
Todd’s brother, Don, spoke last, emotionally and humorously remembering the sheriff’s interminable commitment to his staff, to the point of disengaging Don’s slide card to the Public Safety Building for admonishing one of his deputy sheriff’s.
“So it shows that at least in that case the blood of his second family was thicker than that of his first family,” Don Todd said. “And that goes to show how much he cared for and how much he was there for everyone that worked with him and that worked for him. So again, on behalf of our family, thank you all for this wonderful honor. It’s truly deserved, Moe.”
At the end of the dedication, former Sheriff Todd thanked the crowd, re-emphasizing the love, respect and appreciation he had for his team.
“I just want to say I never thought of corrections, road [or] civil – I never thought of them as working for me; they worked with me. And they made me look good, if that’s possible,” Moe Todd said. “They gave us Civil Service (County Legislature in 1978). We hired tremendous people and we’re now high up on the top, and it’s because of the people who worked with me that this is happening. Thank you.”
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I can not think of a more deserving man. I am so proud to have been part of the Todd family. His dedication to his job, the county and family has been truly amazing. Congrats on this dedication that you so deserve Moe. We are so proud.