Ronald G. Spike
Sheriff

Undersheriff

Howard Davis Jr.

Address

Yates County Sheriff's Office 227 Main Street Penn Yan, NY 14527

Phone

315.536.5172

Population

33,000

Area

334 square miles

County

Yates

County Seat

Penn Yan, NY

Career

Sheriff Ron Spike has been with the Yates County Sheriff’s Office since 1970. He grew up living in the Sheriff’s residence, attached to the old 1904 county jail as his father George was Sheriff from 1958 to 1981. Upon graduation from Monroe Community College in 1970 Ron was hired as a deputy sheriff and did road and marine patrol and was the first agency youth officer. In 1973, he was promoted to Detective. In 1982, he was promoted to Chief Deputy Sheriff where he supervised the law enforcement bureau and CID. He was first elected Sheriff for a term beginning January 1, 1992.

Education / Training

Sheriff Spike has attended numerous training courses, including the 144th session of the FBI National Academy, the National Sheriffs’ Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NYSSA, FLLEA, DCJS, and the Rural Executive Institute. He is a graduate of the Pelletier County Government Institute at Cornell University.

Honors and Achievements

Sheriff Spike, certified Police Instructor holds a Governor's appointment as Chairman of the NYS Municipal Police Training Council and has been reappointed by each sitting Governor since 1997 and is the current Chairman. He also Chairs the Public Safety Committee for NYSAC. Sheriff Spike has been honored with several awards in his career and was the 1981 New York State Sheriffs’ Association’s Deputy Sheriff of the Year for saving a life in a house fire. He is active in the Yates County community with several agencies and boards. Sheriff Spike is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute. He was President of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association (NYSSA) in 2000 and continues as a Life Member. He represents NYSSA on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) and is a member of the National Sheriffs’ Institute and Training Outreach, Global Policing Affairs, and Court Security, Civil and Correction committees.

Personal

Sheriff Spike is active in the Yates County community with several agencies and boards. He is a member of the United Methodist Church, and is Past President and current Secretary of the Penn Yan Lions Club where he has been honored as a Melvin Jones Fellow. He and Sue, his wife of 43 years, have three children and seven grandchildren.