Hess elected county sheriff

Acting Putnam County Sheriff and incumbent Brian M. Hess, who was appointed to succeed the late Sheriff Kevin J. McConville earlier this year, won a decisive victory in the race for county sheriff against law-enforcement veteran Lawrence J. Burke.

Hess, who ran on the Republican and Conservative lines, garnered 12,015 votes (68.5%), defeating Serve & Protect candidate Burke, who received 5,486 votes (31.04%), according to unofficial results from the Putnam County Board of Elections. There were 81 write-in votes.

Hess, who was appointed undersheriff near the end of McConville’s term and was considered by supporters to be the late sheriff’s successor, said during the campaign that his predecessor’s legacy was important.

“Sheriff McConville and I worked closely together during my time with the Westchester County Police, and I always had deep professional respect for his leadership and vision,” Hess said. “His trust and confidence in my abilities inspired me to continue his mission of building a modern, transparent, and community-focused Sheriff’s Office.”