DELHI _ Friends, family and court officials gathered in the historic Delaware County Courthouse on Monday for the swearing-in ceremony of state court officers.
Russell Oeschle, executive assistant to the administrative law judge of the Sixth Judicial District, said the process to transfer the responsibility for court security from the Delaware County Sheriff's Department to the state began four or five years ago.
Mark Fallon, James Andrews, Nancy Hutson, Paul Markert and Vincent Scinta were given their new oath of office by Delaware County Judge Carl Becker.
"We are very proud of these five officers," Oeschle said. "But our tremendous gain is a huge loss for the Delaware County Sheriff's Department."
Vredenburgh offered his congratulations to the five officers.
"When I saw you wearing the state uniforms instead of the sheriff's department uniforms, it hit home that we are losing five of our best officers," Vredenburgh said.
Becker said the newly sworn court officers are "five of my good friends. These are the people who protect me. I want them to be my friends.
"They have worked with me for several years in Delaware County Court and it has been a pleasure to get to know them," Becker continued. "These folks, in my estimation, are among the very best there are in the court system."
Court officer Chris Sullivan, clad in a kilt, led the new officers into the courtroom to the sounds of bagpipes.
A reception was held after the ceremony.
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Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.
