TICONDEROGA — The Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers and its members are mourning the loss of Department of Environmental Conservation Officer Sean Dewey.
The 63-year-old of Ticonderoga, and formerly of Clifton Park, died unexpectedly July 25 while visiting family in Florida, the PBA of New York said in a press release.
Dewey was a PBA member and a 23-year officer of the New York State Environmental Conservation Police.
He served first in the five boroughs of New York City, then Greene County and finally in Essex County, where he has been stationed since 2019.
A true “team player and leader,” Dewey served for years as an academy instructor and led trainings on firearms, emergency vehicle operation, drill instruction and other roles. He held those duties in addition to his full-time role as an environmental conservation officer.
“ECO Dewey lived for fish and wildlife protection. He is one of the last ‘old school game wardens,’” Matthew Krug, director of Environmental Conservation Officers for the PBA of New York State, said.
Krug worked alongside Dewey in NYSDEC Region 5.
“Sean kept postponing his retirement because he loved his job so much, and he always went above and beyond if his fellow officers needed anything,” Krug said. “Working long past his retirement eligibility, he was still always first to volunteer for extra boat and snowmobile patrols, overnight shift coverages and for work with the swift water flood rescue team. He was also part of New York’s COVID-19 incident management team, administering COVID testing sites downstate and spending significant amounts of time away from home during the pandemic.”
Dewey was also involved ceremonially with the Honor Guard and as NYSDEC Division of Law Enforcement Pipe and Drum Band leader. He was honored with the NYSDEC Commissioner’s Meritorious Service Award in March 2019.
“ECO Dewey devoted his life to law enforcement, and to protecting the environment and the people of New York,” PBA of New York State President James McCartney said. “I can personally recall his even cadence and steady leadership when he served as my police academy drill instructor. The PBA of New York State sends our condolences, thoughts and support to ECO Sean Dewey’s family and close friends at this difficult time.”
Dewey received full New York state law enforcement honors and escort during a motorcade from Albany International Airport to Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home in Clifton Park on Thursday.
A veteran of the United States Marine Corps and the Army National Guard, Dewey will be laid to rest with military honors.