eriff Hess & Undersheriff Menton Take the Reigns

Acting Sheriff Brian Hess will run for election in November.

Undersheriff James Menton is sworn into office on the steps of the Historic Courthouse in Carmel, with his wife by his side.

By Holly Crocco

With the late Sheriff Kevin McConville laid to rest, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has reorganized its leadership.

Brian Hess, who was sworn in as undersheriff only two weeks prior to McConville’s passing when Thomas Lindert retired, has taken the reigns as sheriff to finish out the year. He was recently endorsed by the Putnam County Republican Committee to replace McConville on the November ballot and run for the position, which would keep him in the seat for another four years.

McConville died Aug. 22 at the age of 68, after serving almost four years as the county’s top cop.

Although McConville announced in the spring that he would not be running for re-election due to failing health, it was determined that his name would remain on the ballot because state law prevents political parties from replacing candidates unless they die or are disqualified.

With his passing, Hess will now be the Republican candidate on the ballot.

“I’m honored and excited to receive the Republican endorsement,” Hess said in a statement. “I look forward to working with everyone here to keep Putnam safe and strong for our families and future.”

Hess served with the Westchester County Police Department from May 1999 to September 2025, when he joined the PCSO. Prior to that, he was a police officer with the New York City Police Department from 1997 to 1999, and a communications officer with the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services fire control division for about a year and a half.

Larry Burke, a Cold Spring police officer, will appear on the ballot on the independent Serve & Protect Party line. No Democrat has been named in the race.

Burke started his law enforcement career with the New York City Transit Police, patrolling the subway system. He transferred to the NYPD and was assigned to the 40th Precinct in the South Bronx, where he became the precinct’s community officer. Burke later moved into the Detective Bureau’s Narcotics Division, working in narcotics enforcement, eventually rising to the Bronx Narcotics Major Case Squad.

On Sept. 3, James Menton was sworn in as undersheriff. A native of Carmel and a 1991 graduate of Carmel High School, Menton brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience to the department. His career includes roles as detective first grade with the NYPD, and criminal investigator with the Westchester County District Attorney's Cold Case Bureau.

“We are honored to welcome Undersheriff Menton back to the county where he grew up and where he continues to raise his family with his wife, Tara, and their two children – both of whom are carrying on his legacy in law enforcement,” stated the department.