William, “Bill” Graham, Jr., 79, of Bellows Falls Road, former longtime Windham County Sheriff, died Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. the result of a head injury he sustained following an accidental fall at his camp in Bradford.

Bill was born in Springfield Gardens, Long Island, N.Y. on February 20, 1931, the son of William and Adath (Shelley) Graham.

At the age of eight he moved to Putney with his family where he was raised and educated, graduating from Brattleboro High School, Class of 1948. He later attended Champlain College where he majored in Criminal Justice. Bill was a graduate of the Vermont State Police Basic Training Academy, graduated with the 89”Th session of the FBI National Academy and was also a graduate of the National Sheriff’s Institute.

For 33 years he served as Windham County Sheriff initially appointed to his position by then Governor Deane Davis in 1969. He retired from his position in February 2002. Prior to his appointment as Sheriff he served as Juvenile Probation and Parole Officer for six years working in the agency’s Brattleboro office.

From 1954 to 1963 he served with the Vermont State Police working out of the Fairlee Outpost, covering fourteen towns from White River Jct. north to St. Johnsbury.

In his earlier years following high school he worked for Basketville in Putney as manager of the company’s production department. For many years, on a part-time basis he worked for the State of Vermont (Orange County) Fish & Game Department as a game warden.

Active civically, positions he held in Putney included, member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, town agent, town grand juror, town lister, and town constable. He also served on and was chairman of the school board in Putney.

Bill was a Director of Bellows Falls Trust Co., was a member of the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council, served on the Vermont Detective Licensing Board as well as on the Governor’s Crime Commission. He was also a Trustee with the Family Child Guidance, Youth services.

Professional memberships he was active in included, International Chiefs of Police, National Sheriff’s Association where he served as state director since 1971, and Vermont Sheriff’s Association where he served as President for six years. He held membership in the Vermont Chiefs of Police Association, the American Society of Industrial Security and was a former member of the Aircraft Owner & Pilots Association.

He was the first chairman of the Windham County Greenup Committee 1979-1981, was a member of the Criminal Court Coordinating Committee and served as Coordinator of Police services for Disaster Situations in Windham County.

Active fraternally, he was a member of the Brattleboro Shrine Club, Cairo Shrine Temple of Rutland, F&AM, Golden Rule Lodge #32 in Putney, Putney Lion’s Club and held membership in the Putney Historical Society.

Bill received a special commendation in 1994 from President Clinton at the White House for Courage and Commitment to the safety of others and dedication to the community exemplifying the finest tradition of law enforcement in America. He was also the recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award, from the Boy Scouts of America.

On October 9, 1958, in Chicago, IL he was married to Phyllis Austin who survives.

Besides his faithful and loving wife of 51 years, he leaves one daughter, Kimberlee Denning and her husband Jeffrey of Weare N.H., three grandchildren, Michael, Aleesha and Matthew Denning, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

He was predeceased by one sister, Ethel Sauer.

Mark Dooley joined the Windham County Sheriff's Department in 2002, he graduated the Vermont Police Academy and served the citizens of the county as a patrol officer. He left the department to pursue a career in the Military, where he was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Vermont Army National Guard. During this same period he joined the Wilmington VT Police Department as a Police Officer. Mark was activated for duty in Iraq where on September 19, 2005 the vehicle he was riding in was struck by an IED. By whatever title he was known, be it Deputy Sheriff, Police Officer, Lieutenant or just Mark, he will be missed by the family and friends he left behind as well as the people he served, both in Vermont law enforcement and the military.

Mark's Guestbook

Ziggy Ostrowski started his law enforcement career in 1974 with the Bellows Falls Police Dept., in 1978 he became Chief for five years. He then went to work for Windham County Sheriff's Office where he served in several capacities. He was especially proud of his work with the Explorer's program. In his later years Ziggy worked two jobs, one as a Deputy and the other as a teacher at Kurn Hatin School. Ziggy passed on June 3rd, 2005.

John Williams started his career in the Criminal Justice system as a Side Judge on February 1, 1995. He held that position until January 31, 1999. He was then commissioned a Deputy Sheriff and served as a court officer at the Superior Court in Newfane. He also served civil process in the County until his death.

Deputy Ray Wilson worked full-time as a court officer in Windham Family Court where he was responsible for the protection and safety of the judge, court staff, prisoners and the general public. Deputy Wilson saw his greatest challenge as making sure the security of the court stayed at a high level. He loved his work and daily contact with people of all walks of life. Deputy Wilson's personal goals were “to do the best job I can and look for new and better ways to perform my job.” Each year he'd undergo at least 30 hours of training to meet state qualifications for weapons, first aid and understanding the changes in law.

Deputy Wilson was active in both the Masons and the Shrine Organizations, where he received the 33rd Degree in Masons in 1999 and the Meritorious Award for Service in 1994. Deputy Wilson called Bingo at the Shrine hall every Monday Night. He served on various boards, collected food, clothes and other items for area shelters and the Women's Crisis Center in Brattleboro.