The Erie County Sheriff's Department has announced the pending retirement of Undersheriff Mark Wipperman.
In a release, Sheriff Timothy Howard credited Wipperman with helping the department accomplish re-accreditation of the Police Services Division, accreditation of the Jail Management Division and fulfilling mandates from the U.S. Department of Justice. Wipperman was also cited as helping the department achieve top SWAT Team in New York and expanding the sheriff's K-9 unit.
“My dad was a cop and I am a cop,” said Wipperman. “I cannot think of a more rewarding career, but my time is coming to an end. I entered this year knowing it was probably my last, but with the COVID-19 pandemic and other events of this year, I felt now is the time.”
Wipperman's retirement follows a nearly 30-year career, including a decade as undersheriff. It will take effect Aug. 7.
He began his career as a Chautauqua County Deputy, transferred to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Police Department and then to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, where he began as a road patrol deputy, sergeant, PBA president and chief of the professional standards division, before becoming undersheriff.
Chief of Administration John Greenan will be promoted to acting undersheriff. Prior to joining the Sheriff's Office in 2014, Greenan was Erie County personnel commissioner.
