Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard announced Undersheriff Mark N. Wipperman is retiring effective August 7.
“When I was looking for a strong leader to be my second in command, I found the best person here within the ranks of the Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Howard. “Mark brought a long tradition of law enforcement with him; that’s why I asked him to be my Undersheriff. With his help, we accomplished re-accreditation of the Police Services Division, the accreditation of the Jail Management Division, and fulfilling the mandates in the agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. We also achieved top SWAT Team in New York, expanded our K9 unit to serve in many roles of law enforcement, and so many more accomplishments. I can say today, without hesitation, the people of Erie County and the Sheriff’s Office are better today because of Mark.”
The Sheriff also announced today that Chief of Administration, John Greenan, will be promoted to acting Undersheriff.
Undersheriff Wipperman’s career spans nearly 30-years of law enforcement. He began his career as a Chautauqua County Deputy, transferred to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Police Department and then to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. As an Erie County Deputy, Wipperman was a road patrol Deputy, Sergeant, PBA president, Chief of Professional Standards Division, and lastly, Undersheriff.
“My dad was a cop, and I am a cop,” stated Undersheriff Wipperman. “I cannot think of a more rewarding career, but my time is coming to an end. I entered this year knowing it was probably my last, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, and other events of this year, I felt now is the time.”
Wipperman continued, “I am so appreciative of Sheriff Howard and the opportunities he provided. The Sheriff is like another father to me, and he has been an influential mentor in my police career, and I cannot fully express my gratitude to him. I look forward to a new chapter of my life and spending time with my wife, Mary, my mother, nieces and nephews, and my dogs and horses.”
In July 2010, Sheriff Timothy B. Howard appointed Mark Wipperman to the Erie County Undersheriff. At the time of his appointment, Wipperman became the youngest Undersheriff in the modern history of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. Wipperman is a twenty-eight-year veteran of law enforcementand has severed under Sheriffs Higgins, Gallivan, and Timothy Howard.
Mark began his law enforcement career in 1991 when he graduated from the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Academy. He was valedictorian of his recruiting class and was voted class president by his peers. Mark started patrolling in Chautauqua County in 1992 and received a Meritorious Service Medal for saving the life of a motorist trapped inside a fully engulfed vehicle.
In 1994, Wipperman returned to Erie County when he transferred to the Niagara Frontier Transit Authority. He was assigned to the City of Buffalo detail and received a departmental award for assisting the Drug Enforcement Agency in one of the largest heroin seizures in Western New York history.
In 1995, Erie County Sheriff Thomas Higgins appointed Mark topatrol deputy in the Police Services Division. He worked in every patrol district in Erie County as well as in the DomesticViolence, Transportation, and Family Court Warrant units during his tenure. Wipperman was also a Field Training Officer and Central Police Services Academy Instructor. While serving as an instructor, Mark was an instructor domestic violence, crime in progress, vehicle stops, and defensive tactics curriculum.
In 2003, Wipperman was promoted to Sergeant and assigned to the midnight watch. From 2003-2008 he served as a patrol supervisor and watch commander.
Mark was promoted to Chief of Professional Standards in 2008. His duties included supervising internal affairs and pre-employment background investigations for Police Services, the Erie County Holding Center, and the Erie County Correctional Facility. As Chief, Mark also oversaw Community Relations/Substance Abuse and Human Trafficking programs within the Sheriff’s Office.
Mark is the son of a retired Cheektowaga Police Officer and grew up in the town. Currently, he resides in Elma with his wife, Mary, and their many dogs. Mark earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Hilbert College, is an Eagle Scout, and former New York State Golden Gloves champion. Mark’s deep love of animals has expanded to owning and racing thoroughbred horses. During the racing season, and enjoys caring and cheering for his horses at various tracks throughout the northeast.
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