Sheriff Timothy J. Thompson, Jr. began his career with the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office as a Dispatcher in May of 1999. In June of 2004, he successfully completed the Finger Lakes Law Enforcement Academy and began working as a Deputy Sheriff assigned to the Road Patrol Division. In September of 2008, he was promoted to Road Patrol Sergeant where he supervised Deputies and worked as a shift supervisor. In August of 2011, he was reassigned to the Criminal Investigation Division as an Investigator where he was responsible for felony narcotics investigations, violent crimes, and supervision of the Narcotics Unit. In October of 2016, he was promoted to Investigator Lieutenant and was designated as the Commanding Officer of the Criminal Investigation Division with the responsibilities of overseeing the Narcotics Unit, Major Crimes Unit, Family Services Unit, and Evidence Management. In the past, he has also served as a Field Training Officer, Warrant Control Officer, and Emergency Response Team Leader with the Sheriff’s Office and as a Police Officer with the Village of Interlaken. Thompson has received numerous awards and commendations throughout his career that includes “Police Officer of the Year” and “STOP-DWI Officer of the Year.”

On November 7, 2023, Thompson was elected to the Office of Seneca County Sheriff and officially assumed the duties on January 1, 2024, where he is responsible for the oversight of nearly 130 employees and the delivery of the agency’s public safety services.

Sheriff Thompson is also currently serving as the Seneca County Stop-DWI Coordinator and sits on the Board of Directors of the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute. In addition, he is a member of the Finger Lakes Law Enforcement Academy Training Committee, Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee of Seneca County, New York State Sheriffs’ Association, New York State Sheriffs’ Northern Border Committee, Seneca County Office for the Aging Advisory Council, Seneca County Threat Advisory Committee, Seneca County 911 Advisory Board, Seneca County Criminal Justice Advisory Board, and former member of the Child Advocacy of the Finger Lakes Advisory Council.  He is very active at community events and holds memberships with various local organizations that includes the MacDougall Sportsmen’s Club, Seneca Falls SMS, Seneca Falls Elks Lodge 992, and Waterloo VFW Auxiliary.

Sheriff Thompson is a lifelong resident of Seneca County and a graduate of the Waterloo High School. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Finger Lakes Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Affairs from SUNY Empire State University. He resides in Fayette with his wife and two daughters.

Sheriff Thompson added, “It is truly the honor of my lifetime to serve this community as your Sheriff and lead the great men and women of the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office. I take this responsibility very seriously and strive to be accessible and available to those that we are sworn to protect and serve.”