About Our Sheriff
Joseph M. Graff
Joseph M. Graff was elected Sheriff of Genesee County in 2025, with 25
years of experience in local law enforcement in Genesee County. He began
his law enforcement career in March 1999 as a Probation Officer, and in
February 2004, was appointed Deputy Sheriff with the Genesee County
Sheriff’s Office. In 2015, he was promoted to Investigator, and in
2017, he was promoted to Chief Deputy – Road Patrol. Sheriff Graff
then accepted the position of Chief Deputy – Criminal Investigation
Division in 2019.
Education & Training
Sheriff Graff received his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. John Fisher
University. He attended the New York State Division of Criminal Justice
Services Basic Course for Police at the Niagara County Law Enforcement
Academy. He received the Academic Achievement Award and was also honored
with the Joseph E. Steblein Award, which is given to the top overall
graduate in the academy class.
Over the course of his career, Sheriff Graff has attended trainings that include:
- Interviewing and Interrogation
- Criminal Investigations
- Use of Force
- New York Law Enforcement and the Law
- Patrol Interdiction
- Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement
- Child Forensic Interviewing
- Advanced Homicide – Violent Crime
- National Incident Management
- Police Supervision
Honors and Affiliations
Sheriff Graff holds credentials as a New York State Department of
Criminal Justice Services Instructor and has served the Sheriff’s
Office as an instructor of:
- Aerosol Subject Restraint
- ASP/Baton
- General Topics
- Electronic Control Devices
- Firearms
He is a member of the Genesee County Threat Assessment Committee and has
been a Field Training Officer as well as a former member of the Emergency
Response Team.
Awards and Achievements
Sheriff Graff has received several departmental recognition awards, including:
- Officer of the Year in 2007
- Two Commendations
- Two Meritorious Service Awards
- Kiwanis Club of Batavia Criminal Justice Award
He has experience as Chief Deputy of Road Patrol, as well as the Criminal
Investigation Division of the Sheriff’s Office.
Personal
Sheriff Graff is a lifelong resident of Genesee County. He and his wife,
Erin, are proud parents to three daughters, Gabrielle, Gianna, and Lila.