Niagara County Sheriff James Voutour has announced his retirement, effective Dec. 30. First elected in 2008, Voutour said he has accepted a private sector position as a police consultant with a "large law enforcement technology company."
"I will have a tremendous opportunity to continue to contribute to law enforcement with a significant decrease in responsibility and stress while spending more time with my wife and daughters," he said in a statement.
Voutour was first hired as a Niagara County deputy in 1993, then promoted through the ranks. In 2012 and 2016, he ran unopposed for sheriff.
"The people of Niagara placed their trust in me for three elections and for that I am truly grateful," he said. "I have always believed in term limits and I feel that it is my time to move on to a new chapter and allow a fresh face to take the reins."
He will leave the office in the hands of Undersheriff Michael Filicetti, who has served alongside Voutour for more than eight years.