SARATOGA COUNTY — Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo will not run for another term, he announced in a social media post on Thursday.
This comes after Zurlo told The Gazette in late September that he would seek another term in 2025.
Despite his previous pledge to run again, Zurlo said Thursday he believes that after 48 years in law enforcement, now is the right time to leave, noting he is also going to be a grandfather soon.
“It’s time,” he said.
Zurlo said the last decade-plus he’s spent as sheriff has been the most rewarding period of employment he's ever had. He said he was proud to be “the sheriff of the best county in the state” with the best law enforcement personnel working alongside him.
“I just think the time is right for me to move on after 48 years of public service,” Zurlo said.
But the decision not to run for another term was a tough one for Zurlo to make.
“I struggled with this,” he said. “This is pretty much all I've done all my life, and yeah, a lot of bittersweet, mixed emotions, but we've got a great department here. We've done a lot as a team in the last 11 years.”
Zurlo was elected sheriff in 2013 after coming up through the ranks of the department, starting as a deputy and later being promoted to lieutenant and eventually a senior investigator before taking the helm of the department. He spent the first five years of his career in the Mechanicville Police Department before transferring to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department. He was also previously the Stillwater Town Justice.
In a post on Facebook, Zurlo reflected on his time as sheriff, stating the county remains one of the safest in the state in part because of initiatives he has implemented or supported.
“During my tenure, we implemented key initiatives that have had a lasting impact on our county,” he said. “We placed school resource officers in schools, added more deputies to patrol our streets, expanded our emergency radio communication system, and fostered strong, collaborative relationships with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. These efforts have paid off, and I’m proud to say that Saratoga County continues to be recognized as one of the safest counties in the state.”
Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Phil Barrett said it has been an honor to work with Zurlo for many years.
“He has worked tirelessly to ensure our county remains a safe place to live,” Barrett said. “I wish him well in the future and look forward to working with him in 2025.”
Zurlo will continue to lead the department through December and, in both a social media post and press release, has already supported Undersheriff Jeffrey R. Brown for the November election.
“Having watched Jeffrey over his two decades of service and dedication to the Sheriff’s Office and Saratoga County, I’ve witnessed firsthand his unwavering commitment to our community, his steadfast understanding of public safety, and his remarkable leadership skills,” Zurlo said in the release sent by Brown’s campaign.
He noted that Brown has served every role in the sheriff’s office, including deputy, investigator, lieutenant, captain and undersheriff, with distinction.
“Jeffrey brings not only an impressive career but also a deep connection to Saratoga County as a lifelong resident who understands the values and needs of our County. Jeff is a proven leader, a forward-thinker, and a man of integrity who will build upon the successes we have achieved together,” Zurlo said in the release sent by Brown’s campaign.
Brown grew up in Malta and is a graduate of Shenendehowa High School, according to the release. He has an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Hudson Valley Community College.
He began his career with the department as a road patrol deputy in September 1998 before being promoted to investigator in 2005 where he was a crime scene specialist and crisis negotiator. In 2014 Brown was then promoted to lieutenant and assigned to the criminal investigations unit and also began instructing the Zone Five Police Academy, according to the Sheriff’s Department’s website. In 2018 he gained the rank of captain of the criminal investigations division.
As the current undersheriff, Brown is second in command, standing in for the sheriff when he is unavailable. He said he also oversees the five divisions of the department and its 300 employees as well as the department’s $46 million budget. He also serves as the sheriff’s representative for county, state and federal meetings.
Brown said he is honored to have Zurlo’s support.
“Throughout my two decades of service to Saratoga County, I have learned, beyond a shadow of a doubt, what it means to lead and represent a Sheriff’s Office that operates with integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our residents,” Brown said. “With the full endorsement of Sheriff Mike Zurlo, I am running to continue the great work he has done in establishing a Sheriff’s Office that is respected not only in Saratoga County but across New York State.”
County Republican Chairman Joe Suhrada is also backing Brown, with the committee expected to vote on whether to endorse Brown in the coming weeks.
“I very much admire the work of the undersheriff and I believe that he will have the full support of the Republican Committee,” Suhrada said.
He also said he has “complete confidence” in Brown.
Support of the county Republican Committee comes with an almost certain guarantee of election in the heavily GOP-dominated county.
Ryan Mahan, the president of the Saratoga County Deputy Sheriff Police Benevolence Association, said it’s too early to make any public comments or endorsements.
“We remain committed to an open and fair process and will thoroughly review all declared candidates, ensuring our endorsement supports the individual who will best serve our members, law enforcement and the community. Updates will follow as the race develops,” Mahan said, adding “We would like to thank the Sheriff for the last 11 years.”
