MONTICELLO- Established in 2022, the Sheriff Colleen O’Neil Award honors the legacy of New York’s first female sheriff by recognizing women who have made extraordinary contributions to law enforcement.

This year, the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute and the New York State Sheriffs’ Association presented the award to Lt. Cheryl Crumley of the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office. Crumley was nominated by Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff and recognized for her heroic actions in saving the life of a woman in crisis last October.

“I thought the job she did keeping the young woman alive — who has children — and the fact that she’s still with us and has an opportunity to turn her life around was remarkable,” Schiff said. “It didn’t end that day on that overpass.”

Crumley said she was honored by the recognition and proud of the progress women have made in law enforcement.

“I go to the Women in Law Enforcement conference every year, and it’s one of the most powerful experiences I’ve ever had,” she said. “It’s nice to see how far women have come and that we’re continuing to move forward.”