Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard highlights Undersheriff John McNelis’ impactful initiatives, including securing $1.2M in grants and launching the “Emilee’s Challenge” educational trailer.
BATH – The recently unveiled “Emilee’s Challenge” educational trailer is only the most recent result of Steuben County Undersheriff John McNelis’ efforts on behalf of local residents, county Sheriff Jim Allard told the county Legislature’s Public Safety Committee Monday.
In the first six months of 2024, McNelis brought in more than $1.2 million dollars in grants to Steuben, Allard told the committee.
“The grants not only serve the Sheriff’s Office, but every police department in the county, and regional agencies as well,” he said. “They are unprecedented as both grants were not “established” grants we routinely receive, but issued as a result of the Undersheriff’s ingenuity, communication and research abilities.”
McNelis also was essential in the department’s four-year effort to develop the “Emilee’s Challenge” trailer, used to deter not only intoxicated driving, but also the decision to ride with an intoxicated, impaired or distracted driver, Allard said. The trailer grew out of the unimaginable tragedy of the deaths of five young adults in the space of four months in 2019.
Law enforcement reported distracted driving was the cause of the death of Emilee Rawleigh of Dansville, while speed and alcohol were significant factors in the deaths of Korbie Higgins of Bath, Coy Miner of Hammondsport, Nikki Wise of Prattsburgh, and Adam Bellamy of Pulteney.
Allard told committee members McNelis’ achievements, coupled with his oversight of a recent homicide investigation and his daily duties and responsibilities only begin to give the full picture of the commitment and professionalism he leads with.
“Not only do you successfully complete every task assigned to you, you also engage yourself in multiple extra projects which positively affect not only our Office, but all of Steuben County,” he told McNelis. “Thank you for your continued professionalism, integrity, leadership and service to the citizens of Steuben County.”
