Press Release

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Receives Donation from Sean Craig Family

Funds Used to Purchase Water Rescue Equipment

FONDA - The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office recently purchased two Sea-Doo personal watercrafts to be used during response to water emergencies thanks to a donation from the Sean Craig family.

The Sean Craig Memorial Fund Inc., Ron Craig, Theresa DaBiere-Craig, Justin Craig, Brandon Craig and Nicole Heck said in a statement that they were honored to provide a matching funds donation to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. The $10,000 donation assisted in purchasing two personal watercrafts, a transportation trailer and appropriate safety equipment that can be utilized for response to water emergencies and enhance water safety in Montgomery County.

According to the statement from the Sean Craig Memorial Fund Inc., the donation represents their position that law enforcement and emergency responders must have adequate resources to deploy and respond to water emergencies, especially in Montgomery County with the increased recreational use on the Mohawk River and the history of natural disasters from rain and floods.

Their goal is that the increased presence of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office on local waterways will provide an added benefit of raising awareness of the importance of water safety on and near the water.

"I commend the Craig family for their work and this partnership," Montgomery County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort said. "Together we are working to make a meaningful difference in our community by improving safety for those who enjoy water recreation in our county and neighboring counties."

The equipment will be used for emergency response and potential patrol of the Mohawk River, Beardslee Lake and large ponds located throughout Montgomery County.

Montgomery County Sheriff Jeffery T. Smith said the donation made for a perfect opportunity to upgrade the office’s water search and rescue equipment, which now provides them with a different platform to assist mutual aid partners.

"With the expansion of our waterfront events and increased traffic in these areas, there has never been a more appropriate time to be better prepared," Smith said. "Montgomery County unfortunately has had a history of search and rescue emergencies on our waterways. This includes some natural disasters resulting from severe flooding," he continued. "We have also requested and provided mutual aid to our law enforcement partners for incidents similar to those noted above."

"We are grateful to all the family, friends, community members and businesses who have supported the fund in Sean’s memory in order to make this donation possible," Theresa DaBiere-Craig said. "We all share the hope that more water safety awareness and resources will prevent accidents and fatalities in the future."