Upon graduation from high school, Ron Spike enrolled in the criminal justice program at Monroe County Community College. Upon his graduation he was hired as a Yates County Deputy Sheriff. After a diligent contributions to both road and marine patrol duties he became the agencies first Youth Officer. He effectively and efficiently established this new office within the Sheriffs’ Office and it’s impact on the community was very positive. In 1973, Ron Spike was promoted to Criminal Investigator.
In the winter of 1980, Robert Champlain, who was passing by, came to the Spike’s residence and said, “the house kitty corner to you is on fire.”
Investigator Spike headed out the door yelling to his wife to call the fire department. He and the Champlain found the burning home’s owner stuck in a window frame – smoke bellowing out around him.
“We removed the rest of the broken glass and tried to get him out, but he was stuck,” recalled Investigator Spike. “I went around to the front door hoping to enter the house, and push the victim through, but I couldn’t get past the smoke when I opened the door.”
Complicating the rescue was the fact that the victim was very intoxicated.
“He wanted to go back in the house and come out through the front door,” Spike recalled. “The smoke was too thick for him to survive a few steps. I reached back to pull on his legs and his pants were too hot to touch them. I realized right away and couldn’t wait for help.”
Investigator Spike climbed up on the window sill and lifted the victim up a few inches, so Champlain could pull him free. Spike and the victim had to be treated with oxygen. This heroic effort earned him the 1980 Deputy of the Year Award from the New York State Sheriffs’ Association. This award is annually presented to a Deputy Sheriff in New York State who has exceeded his sworn duty to protect the citizens of his county.
Sheriff Jan Scofield, who had nominated Ron Spike for the award, promoted him to Chief Deputy in 1982. In 1986, Spike graduated from the FBI National Academy. In November of 1991, he was elected Sheriff of Yates County. Within his first four year term as Sheriff, Spike graduated from the National Sheriffs’ Institute in Boulder, Colorado.
For the past 16 years Sheriff Spike has been very active in Sheriffs matters at both the state level and federal level. He has served as President of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association and two years ago was elected the first Chairman of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute.
In 1997, Governor George Pataki appointed Sheriff Spike Chairman of the Municipal Police Training Council, which establishes training standards and occupational qualifications for police officers in New York State. The Sheriff is also active with the National Sheriffs’ Association serving on the Ethics and Training Committee, as well as, the committee on Court Security.
So one can see that Ron Spike was born to be a Sheriff. But he’s taken his pedigree and focused on the advancement and enhancement of the Office of Sheriff. He has accomplished a great deal in upgrading and professionalizing Sheriff’s services provided the people of Yates County. His tireless work at the state level has made him a confidante, mentor and adviser to his brother Sheriffs. At the national level he has brought the outstanding work of New York Sheriff’s to Sheriffs across the United States.
Though Sheriff Spike no longer lives at the county jail it’s safe to say his commitment, his dedication, and his love for the Office of Sheriff lives and breathes within the entity known as the Yates County Sheriffs Office 24 hours a day seven days a week.
|
