CARMEL – Putnam Sheriff Brian Hess admitted he was “sick as a dog with the flu” on New Year’s Eve when county officials took their oaths of office so on Monday before some 125 gathered at the Bureau of Emergency Services
Auditorium in Carmel, he was officially sworn in as sheriff during a promotion ceremony.
Hess who was elected as sheriff in November succeeding the late Sheriff Kevin McConville who passed away last fall, described his short tenure as Putnam’s chief lawman as “very special. I appreciate every moment of every day leading a highly professional and dedicated group of men and women who keep this county safe.”
County Executive Kevin Byrne commended Hess for “grabbing the bull by the horns and leading Putnam’s finest. Brian has re-invigorated the department allowing Putnam to remain one of the safest communities in New York State to live, work and raise a family.”
State Assemblyman Matt Slater also addressed the ceremony calling for all New Yorkers to “support law enforcement statewide.”
Undersheriff James Menton served as master of ceremonies. He, too, was administered his oath by County Clerk Michael Bartolotti.
Menton thanked the families of the sworn officers for “your shared sacrifice.”
The ceremony also resulted in the promotions of a number of staff.
Promoted to Captain were Peter Viglio, Dominick Chiumento and Corrine Pitt while Edward Kennedy was elevated to the rank of First Sergeant and Deputies Shane Rossiter, Robert Weinberg and Edward Burke were promoted to sergeant.
Viglio has 18 years of 18 years of service with the Sheriff’s Office, beginning his career in 2008 as a corrections officer.
Captain Vigilio has completed over 1,000 hours of specialized training, including advanced homicide investigation courses.
Captain Chiumento joined the Sheriff’s Office in April 2025 as a Special Patrol Officer later promoted to Captain of Administration. Prior to joining the agency, he served with the New York State Police from 1990 to 2024, retiring as Acting Superintendent, with nearly twenty years serving the residents of Putnam County.
“Dominick is a great addition to the sheriff’s office as he brings a skill set that can’t be matched locally and we are excited to have him on our executive team,” Hess said.
Captain Pitt began her law enforcement career in February 2003 with the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office prior to relocating to Putnam.
Pitt is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and holds a University of Virginia graduate certificate in Criminal Justice. She is the first woman as a sworn captain to ever work at the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff Hess congratulated the career officer. “This is an exciting piece of history, and I am fortunate to bestow this honor on an officer who has truly earned this distinction.”
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