Our Partners

Sheriff of Erie County from 1998-2005
Fifteen years in the New York State Police
Graduate, FBI National Executive Institute and FBI Academy
Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from SUNY at Albany
Graduate of Canisius College

Patrick M. Gallivan served as Sheriff of Erie County from 1998 through 2005. As the county’s chief elected law enforcement officer, Sheriff Gallivan was responsible for the oversight of county police and patrol services, the enforcement of civil process, the ensuring of courtroom security and the oversight of county jail management services. He supervised approximately 1,100 sworn and non-sworn employees and administered an approximately $80 million budget.

As Sheriff, Mr. Gallivan authored and implemented a comprehensive six-point strategic plan, which charted the course for the professional, ethical, cost-effective and community-oriented delivery of criminal justice services by Erie County Sheriff’s Office. He reorganized the agency and oversaw the merger of the Erie County Holding Center and the Erie County Correctional Facility, as well as the consolidation of Central Booking with the Buffalo Police Department. Mr. Gallivan worked to increase efficiency and eliminate waste through the establishment of a Professional Standards Unit, an Internal Inspection Program, an Overtime Monitoring Program and a Sick Leave Program, successfully reducing unnecessary overtime and abuse of sick leave. He also started Erie County’s first Computer Crime Unit, a Domestic Violence/Violence Prevention Division, a Juvenile Bureau, a Warrant Squad and a Technology/Advancement Division.

Prior to being elected Sheriff, Mr. Gallivan served 15 years in the New York State Police, rising through the ranks from Trooper to Captain. He is a graduate of both the prestigious FBI National Executive Institute and the FBI National Academy. He holds a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from the State University of New York at Albany and is a graduate of Canisius College. Mr. Gallivan has received numerous awards and honors for his long and distinguished service to the community and has served numerous professional, charitable, civic and fraternal organizations.

Former Buffalo Police Commissioner
Former ECSO Chief of Police Services
36 Years of service in the Buffalo Police Department
Investigator with the United States Attorney's Office
Graduate - FBI National Executive Institute and FBI Academy

Richard T. Donovan has over 36 years of honorable, distinguished service to the citizens of the City of Buffalo and County of Erie. He has had an extensive and varied career in law enforcement with expertise in administrative and operational capacities.

Mr. Donovan rose through the ranks of the Buffalo Police Department, serving as a Police Officer, Lieutenant, Assistant Chief of Detectives, Precinct Commander, Chief of Homicide, Deputy Police Commissioner, and from 1992 to 1994, Police Commissioner. As Commissioner of Police, he was responsible for all aspects of the administration, patrol, investigative and law enforcement functions for the City of Buffalo, managing a budget of approximately $52 million. He was intimately involved in labor relations, contract negotiation, and medical/sick leave policies and procedures, and the police re-organization committee.

Mr. Donovan has also served as an Investigator with the United States Attorney’s Office, where he conducted complex investigations of fraudulent acts committed against the United States in the areas of health care, defense procurement and housing/urban development. These investigations included the recovery of damages. Under Sheriff Patrick Gallivan, he served as Chief Deputy, the third-ranking member in the Erie County Sheriff’s office, and oversaw patrol, investigation, narcotics and court security divisions.

A graduate of the FBI National Executive Institute and the FBI Academy, Mr. Donovan earned a bachelor of science degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors for his long and distinguished service to the community and has served numerous professional, charitable, civic and fraternal organizations.