After 20 years of service to Genesee County, Deputy Chris Erion and his family are retiring from law enforcement. His wife and four children, ranging in age from 10-15, are looking forward to reconnecting with Erion, who will move to corporate security after an opportunity arose last month.
“This is something they’ve earned as well and they have put up with a lot.”
Erion says he and his family will continue to call WNY their home.
Erion has served as K-9 handler since 2013. He started with K-9 Destro and most recently working with K-9 Frankie. Previously, he was a Youth Officer with the Department.
K-9 Frankie will continue to live with Erion and his family until a new K-9 handler is chosen. K-9 Razor and handler Deputy James Stack will be ready to deploy in November of 2020.
“What I’ll miss the most being K-9 is the other officers I work with and the professionalism and dedication. There is nobody but you to make sure that your dog performs properly, and if it doesn’t its on you, and if it does, all the credit is on you as well.”
Erion’s advice to others who are working in the law enforcement field, do things right and check your ego at the door.
“When that phone rings at two, three, four in the morning you have to be ready to go, and go quickly and that takes a toll on everyone at home as well. I’m not getting any younger, you strap yourself to a 70lb animal and go off into the darkness, wherever they take you. It’s a very physical job and it wears on you, its been very rewarding though.”
Chris Erion started his career at the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department in March of 2000.
He says he will take a week or two to decompress after today.
“I’m going to try and get the weight of the profession off of my heart and my shoulders a little bit and connect with my family, they have been tremendous in just keeping things together over the years and the stresses that you go through.”
Erion says the people who have supported the K-9 program over the past seven years are amazing, especially for a community this size.
“It’s overwhelming, just trying to take it all in after 20 years, says Erion. I love this community and they back us, and we know it, and we try to be worthy of it.”