Death of sheriff stuns community

COLD SPRING, N.Y. (WIVB) - It's the news that has left so many people asking 'why.' Cattaraugus County Sheriff Dennis John was found dead Tuesday with what police say was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Dennis John was the pride of the Seneca Nation. He spent his career in law enforcement and rose through the ranks to become sheriff of Cattaraugus County, the first Native American sheriff in New York State.

A resident said, "I'm surprised and like you said, shocked."

The news of Sheriff John's apparent suicide sent shock waves across the region, from the southern tier, to Erie County, to the Seneca Niagara Casino.

The Associated Press reports Dennis John died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Cochise Redeye of the Seneca Gaming Corporation said, "No one can tell. I mean, no one knows what's going on in someone's life or through their mind or what's happening with them. It's just a shock that this would happen to him."

Dennis John worked closely with his neighboring sheriffs. Erie County Sheriff Timothy Howard doesn't recall anything odd in John's behavior when the two had breakfast together during last week's flooding aftermath in Gowanda.

Sheriff Howard said, "The only recent thing that I'm aware of was the floods and while he was very sorrowful for their losses and the people of Gowanda as well as all the people out on the reservation, that didn't seem like it was taking any toll on him."

Sheriff John's body was found outside a car along Sunfish Run Road in the Town of Cold Spring. State Police and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's office are investigating.

Sheriff John was gearing up for this year's re-election. He was running unopposed.

Cattaraugus County District Attorney Edward Sharkey said, "Everybody knew Dennis. He was a well-known figure in the community. So people knew him and you know, he will be missed."

Sheriff Howard said, "He's a really good friend and he's going to be missed by everyone in law enforcement."