Patrick M. Gallivan was elected Sheriff of Erie County in 1998 and served through 2005. As the chief elected law enforcement officer, Sheriff Gallivan was responsible for the oversight of county police and patrol services, the enforcement of civil process, ensuring  courtroom security and the oversight of county jail management services. He supervised approximately 1,100 sworn and non-sworn employees and administered an approximately $80 million budget. Erie County is Upstate New York’s most populous county.

As Sheriff, Gallivan authored and implemented a comprehensive six-point strategic plan, which charted the course for the professional, ethical, cost-effective and community-oriented delivery of criminal justice services by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. He reorganized the agency and oversaw the merger of the Erie County Holding Center and the Erie County Correctional Facility, as well as the consolidation of Central Booking with the Buffalo Police Department. Sheriff Gallivan worked to increase efficiency and eliminate waste through the establishment of a Professional Standards Unit, an Internal Inspection Program, an Overtime Monitoring Program and a Sick Leave Program, successfully reducing unnecessary overtime and abuse of sick leave. During his tenure, Gallivan also started Erie County’s first Computer Crime Unit, a Domestic Violence/Violence Prevention Division, a Juvenile Bureau, a Warrant Squad and a Technology/Advancement Division.

Prior to being elected Sheriff, Patrick Gallivan served 15 years in the New York State Police, rising through the ranks from Trooper to Captain. He is a graduate of both the prestigious FBI National Executive Institute and the FBI National Academy, and is a past member of the New York State Executive Committee on Counter-Terrorism.

Gallivan is also a small business owner, founding and operating a full service professional investigation and security firm. In addition, Gallivan, previously served as a Member of the New York State Board of Parole.

In November of 2010 Patrick Gallivan was elected as New York State Senator for the 59th District by citizens of Erie, Wyoming , Livingston and Ontario Counties.

Patrick Gallivan holds a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from the State University of New York at Albany and is a graduate of Canisius College in Buffalo. He has received numerous awards and honors for his long and distinguished service to the community and has served numerous professional, charitable, civic and fraternal organizations. 

Gallivan lives in Elma, NY with his wife, Mary Pat, and their two children, Jenna and Conor.