YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y.—Two longtime members of the Yorktown Police Department have retired.
Lieutenant Sam Sansone and Captain James Graham were each honored with individual “walk out” celebrations at headquarters, marking their service to the town and their law enforcement careers.
On Tuesday, June 24, Sansone was joined by both family and fellow officers as he made his final walkout and delivered remarks at police headquarters. The moment, though bittersweet, acknowledged many years of dedicated service and marked a step into the next chapter of his life.
Sansone began his law enforcement career with the NYPD in 2004 and was hired by the Yorktown Police Department in 2006. Over 19 years with YPD, in addition to assigned patrol duties, he was also a certified general topics instructor, defensive tactics instructor, taser instructor, peer support team member, crisis intervention team certified, and the procurement officer for the department’s ballistic vests.
In 2019, Sansone was promoted to sergeant, supervising the Traffic Safety Unit. In June of last year, he advanced to detective sergeant, overseeing daily operations of the YPD’s detective bureau. In January, Sansone was promoted to lieutenant and assigned as commander of the Professional Services and Standards Division, where he supervised officer training and the implementation of body-worn cameras.
A YPD Life Saving Award recipient in 2011, Sansone also served as team captain for the Police Enforcement United Bike Ride and was a past president of the Yorktown Police Benevolent Association. He was active in many community outreach and police organizations.
Chief of Police Robert Noble praised Sansone for his contributions and said he “attended Yorktown Police Department community outreach events with great frequency, consistently demonstrating respect for all the police officers, attending police walks and funerals throughout his career.”
He added that Sansone’s time with the YPD will remembered fondly, acknowledging “his strength, along with his friendly demeanor, positive attitude, and quiet confidence.”
Sansone stood proudly with his wife, Jennifer, children and many family members by his side.
Noble gestured towards them and said to the crowd of officers and elected officials, “what stands before you is a beautiful young family getting ready to take on that next journey, that next chapter in life...wherever you go, I’ll remind you to look out here today at everybody who’s here.
You’re surrounded—it’s a great extended family, aside from the family that you have by blood.”
Sansone spoke fondly of his fellow officers and his time with the department, saying it went by so fast he couldn’t believe he was standing there at his retirement. He thanked his wife and loved ones for their unwavering support and care. He embraced those in attendance as they lined up to express their gratitude and wish him well.
Noble called the turnout “a testament” to Sansone’s law enforcement career, and said he “should be very proud.”
On a cooler day, the Yorktown Police Department celebrated the retirement of Captain James Graham, a Yorktown native, on June 26, as he said goodbye to more than three decades of service.
He began his law enforcement career in 1990 with the City of White Plains Police Department and was hired by YPD in 1992. Rising through the ranks from patrol officer to captain, Graham served as firearms instructor, lieutenant, detective sergeant, operations commander and eventually executive officer to Noble. Promoted to captain on June 2, he oversaw all department divisions and division commanders.
Known for his leadership, mentorship, and dedication to community outreach, Graham was also a key union leader and received multiple department commendations, including lifesaving awards and meritorious service honors. While a member of the Yorktown PBA, Graham served two terms as PBA Vice President in 1994 and 2002 and two terms as President in 1995 and 1996.
Noble said that Graham “was extremely proud to work in the community where he was born and raised. He is Yorktown through and through. He's the epitome of leadership, and has always been a cop's cop.”
Between 2016 and 2025, Graham was directly involved in the department’s most significant cases, Noble said.
Graham’s deep-rooted commitment was evident in the long list of accolades, the strong turnout at his retirement, and the loud applause that followed. His legacy will live on in the young officers who follow in his footsteps.
Graham’s wife, Lisa—his partner since 1982—watched with admiration, joined by their proud children and other family members. The mood was emotional, a reflection of the significance of his long and dedicated career.
“To our newer officers, don’t get too upset with things you have no control over,” he said, citing the year 2020 and the COVID pandemic, he added “we got through it, and you’ll get through future episodes as well. Just like Abe Lincoln said, ‘right makes might.’ Some things are right, and even when the dust clears, north is still north, right is still right and things are going to self correct.”
Humbled by the crowd and support, Graham shared many thanks and appreciation. It was seen in his eyes and the way that he listened to each speaker. “I just can’t believe 35 years have come and gone,” he said.
For Noble, the day was personal. He and Graham were not only colleagues, but close friends. He said he followed Graham from White Plains to Yorktown.
"Once I completed field training, I watched and learned from other offices on the job, learning how to do the job right, and a few cases, what not to do out in the field. Jim Graham was one of the officers that I watched and learned from,” Noble said. “Jim was firm, but fair to everyone out on the street, treating people respectfully, with dignity and empathy. He was smart, trustworthy and had a high level of common sense. Most importantly, he put handcuffs on people.”
Noble said he had worked his entire career beside Graham.
“I have been blessed to basically be attached at the hip with him, and to call him a peer, he said. “Everyone should have a professional peer and a personal friend like Jimmy Graham.
Live life to the fullest, get up to the Cape more often, work on your golf game and be proud of your career at the Yorktown Police Department. Thank you very much for your service and for a job very well done.”
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here