Erie County Sheriff's Dept. Report 2026
Erie County Sheriff's Dept. Official Website
Sheriff Garcia Message - January 2026
BUFFALO, N.Y. –The new year is here, and we are looking forward to unbroken progress at the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. We continue to take steps to modernize and professionalize this Office and uphold its mission to provide quality public safety services for our county’s residents. As we ring in 2026, we are welcoming a new leader to our team. Joseph Noeth has taken the reins as Superintendent of our Jail Management Division. Superintendent Noeth joins us with 32 years of correctional experience in the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. When he retired from the state in 2024, Noeth was serving as its Deputy Commissioner for Correctional Facilities. In that role, he oversaw all operations at 44 state prison facilities. I hired him for his supervisory abilities, sound judgement and vast experience, as he rose through the ranks and worked in 10 prisons across the state prior to his administrative appointment. Importantly, Superintendent Noeth is proficient in drug awareness. I believe this knowledge and skill will create a safer environment for staff and incarcerated individuals at the Erie County Holding Center and Erie County Correctional Facility.Noeth replaces Michael Phillips, who honorably served as our Jail Management Division Superintendent for four years and has now decided to retire. He has my admiration for all he has accomplished in that short time. During his tenure, Superintendent Phillips worked to successfully terminate consent decrees and the associated oversight by the state and federal governments. Programming for incarcerated individuals has expanded, and recidivism has decreased from 67% to 59% since 2021. That’s good news for everyone, including taxpayers. Mike deserves nothing less than many happy years of retirement, and I wish him the best.
I have no doubt that Superintendent Noeth will pick up right where Superintendent Phillips left off. He is surrounded by a terrific command staff, not to mention the hardworking deputies and correction officers that help make up the Erie County Sheriff’s Office’s greatest asset: its people. As our service to you extends into a new year, our commitment will not waver. Our staff is as dedicated as ever to upholding our mission and our responsibility to keep you and your family safe.
Sheriff Garcia Swearing In - January 2026
