Deputy Kristy Botsford

Deputy Kristy Botsford began serving her community at age 18 as a volunteer EMS worker responding to emergencies in the Endwell community, while earning Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Psychology and Biology, at Binghamton University. After two years of volunteering, Ms. Botsford accepted her current paid position and achieved certification as a Nationally Registered Paramedic.

After ten years working in emergency services, Deputy Botsford desired a more proactive approach to serving her community and shifted careers to pursue her longtime dream of working as a law enforcement officer.

A graduate of the Broome County Law Enforcement Academy Class of 2015, Deputy Botsford served with distinction in both the Tioga County and Broome County Sheriff’s offices, making many arrests ranging from DWI stops, to drugs, harassment and larcenies, while also enforcing vehicle and traffic laws.

Upon transferring to the Broome County Sheriff’s Office in 2016, Deputy Botsford immediately engaged in the lives of the local community members she served. She frequently devoted her time at various community interaction events, many with The Children’s Home of Wyoming Conference in Binghamton. There she worked with at-risk children and their families to cultivate healthy relationships between community and law enforcement. She read to children, provided career opportunity advice and mentorship to young women, and participated in events and community beautification projects with at-risk teens and children.

In the early hours of February 1, 2019, while responding to a vehicle traveling the wrong way on Route 17 West in Vestal, Deputy Botsford’s vehicle was struck head on by an alleged drunk driver. Pinned inside her vehicle, she was freed by emergency personnel using the hydraulic “jaws of life” tool in sub-zero temperatures. Despite sustaining serious injuries, she was described by her colleagues as remaining “stoic and very brave” as emergency personnel worked to free her.

Deputy Botsford immediately underwent surgery to repair her broken femur and ankle. During her recovery, she received dozens of get well cards, letters, gift boxes and a large canvas sign from the children and staff at The Children’s Home, as well as from well-wishers across the country.

Still in recovery, she plans to return to her post and continue serving and protecting the people of Broome County.