Sheriff Brian Schenck is a lifelong resident of Cayuga County and has proudly served with the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office for nearly 30 years. He began his law enforcement career in 1997 as a Deputy Sheriff, where he was primarily assigned to traffic and DWI enforcement before transitioning into criminal investigations. During his time in the Road Patrol Division, Sheriff Schenck also served with the agency’s Emergency Response Team, ultimately as a team leader, and administered the Child Passenger Safety Program. Over the next two decades, he advanced through the ranks as a Detective conducting felony investigations and later as Detective Lieutenant, where he supervised the Criminal Investigations Division, reviewed all domestic violence cases, and worked closely with partner agencies. In 2019, he was elected Sheriff of Cayuga County and now serves as the chief executive of the Sheriff’s Office.

As Sheriff, Schenck has focused on strengthening public trust, expanding community partnerships, and modernizing public safety operations. Under his leadership, the Sheriff’s Office established the Community Collaborative Advisement Committee to enhance communication with residents and expanded community outreach efforts throughout the county. He also led the deployment of body-worn cameras within the Road Patrol Division and the adoption of advanced crime scene and evidence collection technologies. Recognizing the impact of addiction and behavioral health on public safety, Sheriff Schenck prioritized the creation of a dedicated jail recovery pod, expanded access to counseling and peer support services, and implemented re-entry transition programs aimed at reducing recidivism.

In addition to his operational leadership, Sheriff Schenck is deeply involved in community service and behavioral health advocacy. He serves on numerous boards and coalitions addressing substance use, domestic violence, mental health, and traffic safety, including leadership roles with Community Action Programs Cayuga/Seneca, the Heroin Epidemic Action League, and Nick’s Ride 4 Friends. Through collaborative, data-driven, and community-centered policing strategies, Sheriff Schenck remains committed to making Cayuga County a safer and stronger place to live.