John Garcia
Sheriff

Undersheriff

William Cooley

Address

10 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14202

Phone

716-858-7608

Website

http://www2.erie.gov/sheriff/

Population

919,000

Area

1,227 square miles

County

Erie

County Seat

Buffalo, NY

Position

Sheriff

Career

Sheriff John C. Garcia was sworn in as the 54th Sheriff of Erie County in January 2022. John started his career with the Buffalo Police Department as a patrolman and retired after 25 years of service as a Detective with the Homicide Squad. During his tenure at the Buffalo PD he served as the Commander of the Crisis Management Unit, where he supervised a team of highly trained hostage negotiators. He also served as a Detective in D-District with the Homicide Squad and the Narcotic, Intelligence, and Vice Enforcement Bureau.

Education / Training

Sheriff Garcia is a 1987 graduate of SUNY College at Buffalo with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He completed the NYS DCJS Police Officer and Advanced Negotiating training courses, as well as NYS Association of Hostage Negotiators’ courses. He is also a graduate of the FBI’s training academy and earned FBI Crisis Negotiations certifications.

Honors and Achievements

Sheriff Garcia is a former board member of the Erie County Mental Health Association, Vice President of the New York Association of Hostage Negotiators, and the WNY Law Enforcement Helpline. He has been recognized and awarded with the:
• Butler Award for Heroism, the highest award in Buffalo Police Department;
• Badge of Honor Association Award;
• Erie County Law Enforcement Foundation Community Service Award;
• NY/NJ Organized Crime & Drug Enforcement Task Force Award (twice);
• New York Association of Hostage Negotiators Bravery Award;
• Buffalo Police PBA Officer of the Month (four times);
• Buffalo Mayor’s Award (four times)

Personal

Sheriff Garcia emigrated to the U.S. from Spain when he was three years old. He and his wife, Brenda, live in Grand Island; he has three daughters.