Albany County Sheriff James Campbell said that it is time for a younger generation to take over as he ended his 21 years of service by announcing his retirement on Thursday, June 2, at the Albany County Courthouse.
I didn’t advertise it publicly, the 71-year-old said, adding that he has been thinking of retiring for the past year. `I was getting used to going to the Price Chopper when everyone asked me, ‘Hey, when the hell are you going to retire?’ It’s probably been one term too long.`
Campbell, who has been with the sheriff’s department for 45 years, said the Democratic Party and his staff helped him run one more time. On Thursday, he said enough is enough, and that his retirement will begin on June 23, at which point Undersheriff Craig Apple will serve as sheriff until a special election is held.
Some called the announcement sudden, but Campbell said it was actually a long time coming. Although questions were raised about whether his health was becoming an issue, Campbell said that despite having prostate cancer three years ago, he is doing fine.
`I’ve got a clean bill of health so it’s not a health issue,` he said. `Thank God, but I don’t want it to be an issue.`
As Campbell looked back on his tenure, he said there may have been a few things he would have done differently, but some things were handled very well, he said, referring to the Amadou Diallo murder trial in 1999, in which four New York City police officers were charged with killing the unarmed Diallo. The trial, which attracted media from all over the world, was moved to Albany County, and local law enforcement received high praised from the prosecutors the defense for keeping the peace.
`That, to me, was one of the most important things in my time,` he said.
There was also the expansion of the mental health facility at the Albany County Jail, which Campbell said will be a big help. He also spoke of the millions of dollars in grants the department has brought to the area that contributed to building its law enforcement.
Campbell said he is ready to support Apple as the new sheriff, praising him as a man that has gone through the ranks to get to where he is today and calling him the first sheriff `that is a career-oriented individual.`
`Craig would be my definite choice,` he said, `without a doubt.`
Apple was emotional as he called Campbell a father figure and someone he looked up to. He also said that Campbell is a very kind individual and that he will be a tough act to follow.
`It’s really bittersweet,` he said of Campbell’s retirement. `He’s been a mentor for 20 years. He’s put me through every one of my promotions. I love him like a father.`
Apple said Campbell always gave hints that he would retire and added that with such a big department and a difficult economy, being sheriff is not the kind of stress he needs to be dealing with.
Albany County Executive Mike Breslin called Campbell a great guy and said he will be missed as sheriff. He said Campbell has been able to advance the sheriff’s department.
`He was a trooper for over two decades. He knew law enforcement inside and out, and he was a great public servant,` he said.
Breslin also supported the idea of Apple taking over as sheriff, whom he also praised as being `an outstanding public official.`
`I look forward to working with him,` he said.
Campbell said there is one piece of unfinished business he is leaving behind: the ongoing renovations on the courthouse.
`I never thought I’d say I’m retiring before this courthouse was completed,` he said.“