Nick Langworthy: “I thank the vice chair of our Conference, Blake Moore, for yielding me the time. I rise today with a heavy heart to…”

“I thank the vice chair of our Conference, Blake Moore, for yielding me the time. I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life and service of Chautauqua County Undersheriff Richard Telford, a dedicated public servant who spent over three decades protecting and serving the people of our community. Rich's passing is a profound loss for Chautauqua County. Those who had the honor of knowing him say that they knew they could always count on Rich. In remembering him, Sheriff Jim Quattrone said: ``Rich was a man of integrity. He could always be counted on to do the right thing.'' Throughout his service, Rich's sense of duty and commitment to the community he grew up in ran very deep. After graduating from Jamestown High School and studying criminal justice at Jamestown Community College, Rich began his law enforcement career in 1991 with the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office. He quickly rose through the ranks, serving as a deputy, a sergeant overseeing the county's 911 center, a lieutenant, and later a supervisor for court security. Rich's hard work and his leadership were undeniable. In 2021 he was appointed undersheriff of Chautauqua County, a role in which he continued to lead by strong example. Rich's dedication to the community wasn't limited to his badge. He is remembered as a loving family man, devoted to his wife Amanda and their three children Katelynn, Andrew, and Alex.…”