Judge Sullivan honored on his last day on the bench

NORWICH – Chenango County Court Judge W. Howard Sullivan made his final appearance in court in that capacity Friday, receiving a plaque from the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for his decades of service to the community.

Said Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr., who presented Sullivan with the plaque, “On behalf of the people of Chenango County” and “the men and women of the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office ... we want to thank you for all that you’ve done.”

The plaque, emblazoned with the seal of the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, states, “On Your Retirement, Honorable W. Howard Sullivan, In Recognition of over 30 years of Outstanding Service to the People of Chenango County; For Your Dedication, Professionalism, Integrity and Your Great Contribution in Making Chenango County a Safer Place; The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office Thanks You.”

Judge Sullivan, who will retire at year’s end, has presided over surrogate, family and county court since 1999. The judge said he was honored by the recognition, noting the many friendships he’d acquired over the years with the various members of the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office. He went on to commend Sheriff Cutting and his force for their own dedication and commitment to the community.

Said Sullivan at the conclusion of Friday’s ceremony, “Sheriff, thank you. Thank you very much.”

Since 1972, Judge Sullivan has held a number of positions within the county’s – and city’s – judicial system, including stints as the county’s assistant district attorney (1972-1976); district attorney (1976); Norwich City Court judge (1977-1999); County Court judge (1999-2012); and Acting Supreme Court judge (2004-2012).

Story Continues Below Adverts

Prior to the ceremony, Judge Sullivan and those present in court held a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims of the recent shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, honoring each of the 26 people slain with the ring of a bell. The judge read the following in honor of those children who lost their lives at the Sandy Hook Elementary School:

Twas’ eleven days before Christmas, around 9:38, when twenty beautiful children stormed through heaven’s gate. Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air. They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there. They were filled with such joy, they didn’t know what to say. They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day. “