Sheriff Richard F. Kise 1973-1977
Sheriff Kise was a policeman first and a politician second.   Sheriff Kise had been a Deputy Sheriff first, having come up through the ranks.  As a detective, he had been involved in many high profile cases.  Thrust into the Office of Sheriff by the Election of James Hurley to the Position of State Assemblyman, Sheriff Kise was appointed by the Govenor to complete the remaining portion of Sheriff Hurley's term in Office.  The Sheriff quickly took control, leaving his mark in the history of the office.  Sheriff Kise did not run for election in 1976 and returned to the Position of Chief Deputy.   The Sheriff was an easily recognizeable figure in his community, being active in his Church and with the youth of the county and was assisted of his wife Hazel, a very distinguished and likeable woman.  Sheriff Kise died suddenly, while on vacation, and was mourned by many in a public display in Lyons. A memorial fund was established in Lyons, after his death, to provide books for the youth of the community.         Sheriff Kise started in 1961 and was a Road Patrol Deputy for two years before being promoted to Criminal Investigator.  In 1965 Sheriff Kise became the Chief Deputy, responsible for supervising the personnel within the Sheriff's Office.  Starting about 1960, the Sheriff's Office began a major increase in size and complexity.  From the Sheriff, a Deputy Sheriff and Undersheriff in the early part of the Century, the Office grew to include a Lieutenants of the Jail, Detectives, and Road Patrol.    Road Patrol Size increased to 13 deputies and three sergeants.  The jail increased to 8 officers including 4 matrons and a communications division was established, utilizing matrons and Deputy Sheriff's.  The Sheriff's Office was well on its way to becoming a modern law enforcement agency.
Wayne Sheriff Endorses Byork The Geneva Times 10/26/1976       By MATT NOZZOLIO LYONS - Richard Kise, present Wayne County Sheriff, yesterday publicly endorsed Paul Byork as his successor.  The announcement, made yesterday afternoon at the sheriff's office,ends speculation on whether Kise would take a public stand in the election between Paul Byork, the department's chief deputy, and his Republican opponent, Paul Fowler, the department youth officer.  "I have worked in the department with one candidate for 10 years, the other for 15." Kise said in a written statement. I heartily endorse Paul Byork as the next Wayne County Sheriff I feel he is the most qualified the candidate.  His ability, integrity, and experience are without question," Kise said. Kise said he spoke to neither candidate about the endorsement.  He also said he did not know if the announcement would influence voters. " Most are aware that I am a Republican, and Chief Deputy Byork is on the Democratic-Conservative ticket," Kise said "I make this unprecedented endorsement of a candidate running on a party line, other than my own with the good of the county in mind." Kise, Sheriff for the past four years, decided not to run this time.  He has no firm plans yet for next year   Fowier said this morning that he has been expecting the endorsement (by Kise tor Byork) because they've been friends and associates for a good many years and worked closely together. "I'm just sorry to hear he (Kise) is a Republican sheriff and the Republicans gave him a chance at the sheriff's position," he said, referring to Kise's backing of a candidate who is running on the Democratic / Conservative ticket .
	Sheriff Kise is buried in the Rose Cemetary, on the South Side
Finger Lakes Times 3/22/1980 Officers March to Funeral for former Wayne Sheriff By CHARLES HICKEY   LYONS - About 200 uniformed and plainclothes police officers marched through a steady rain yesterday to Lyons United Methodist Church to pay their last respects to former Wayne County Sheriff Richard F. Kise. Kise, 44, died Monday after suffering a heart attack while visiting relatives in florida.  Wayne County Sheriff's deputies, their badges covered by black bands, led the procession of federal, state and local law enforcement officers from American Legion Post 227 up William Street to the church. Another 150 persons, including family, friends and government officials, crowded into the church for the funeral.  Wayne County District Attorney Stephen Sirkin escorted Kise's widow.,Hazel, throughout the service. Sheriff Paul Byork presented Mrs. Kise with the flag that shrouded her husband's casket. "There are for each one of us memories of an encounter with him (Kise)," the Rev. Jack Kissel, pastor of the church, told the mourners. "And then there is a common memory. "He spent his life giving that others might be secure, might be safe. He wanted to work himself out of a job. " Kise joined the sheriff's department in 1960. Five years later, he was appointed Chief Deputy. The late Gov. Nelson Rockefeller appointed him to succeed James Hurley as sheriff in 1972 after Hurley was elected to the state Assembly. Kise was elected Sheriff in 1973, making him the youngest Sheriff in the state at the time and the youngest in Wayne County history. Kise, a Republican, decided not to run for a second term in 1976 and backed Byork, who narrowly won the election on the Democratic ticket. Byork, who had been Kise's chief deputy, appointed the former sheriff his own chief deputy after the election. The county board of supervisors, dominated by Republicans, stripped Kise of his seniority because he had been an elected official. Kise was awarded his seniority and accrued benefits after a year-long court battle. He is survived by his wife, Hazel; a sister, Barbara Kise of North Syracuse; his parents, Clifford and Lois Kise of Rose; and nieces, nephews and cousins. A spring burial is planned at Rose Cemetery, Rose.

Return to Sheriff's Main Page

Return to History Index

Return to List of Sheriffs