John P. Burns, Sheriff - Jefferson County Timothy M. Dowe, Undersheriff 753 Waterman Drive, Watertown, NY 13601 315 788-1441 > Visit the Official Jefferson County Sheriff's website	BACK <

Sheriff John Burns began his law enforcement career as a Police Officer with the Tri-Village of Dexter, Brownville, and Glen Park Police Departments in Jefferson County. He was next appointed to Police Chief of the Alexandria Bay Police Department. In February 1983, Sheriff Burns was hired as a Deputy Sheriff by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. After working in the jail for one year, he was assigned to Road Patrol. In 1987, he was promoted to Detective and worked in narcotics for six years. In 2002, he was elected as Sheriff and was re-elected in 2006.

Sheriff Burns is a 1978 graduate of the Immaculate Heart Central High School. He attended Jefferson Community College, and is a graduate of the Canton Police Academy. He is a graduate of the National Sheriffs’ Institute, Longmont, Colorado. He is a New York State Certified Fire Investigator and an instructor in Highway Drug Interdiction. Sheriff Burns serves on the Board of Directors for the Salvation Army. Sheriff Burns has two sons, Karl and Dane. Jefferson County has a population of 117,000 and an area of 1,293 square miles. Jefferson County is home of the 10th Mountain Division.