RUNKLE CLOSES ONE CHAPTER

Former Drug Task Force Chief To Become Legislator

Retirement isn't always an easy thing to embrace, especially when it
comes at the conclusion of almost three decades living your passion
daily.

But for John Runkle, retired Stockton resident and soon-to-be
Chautauqua County legislator, there is one thing he is looking
forward to more than anything.

''I have mixed feelings about retiring, but I have spent a lot of my
time working over the years, usually at the expense of my wife and
family,'' Runkle said. ''Now she's finally got me back, and I'm
looking forward to trying to make up for all the time I was on the
job.''

EARLY CAREER

Runkle began working with the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department
in 1980, a career he chose because it always seemed interesting. He
said that his respect and admiration for then-Sheriff John Bentley
also helped persuade him to sign up for the academy.

Beginning as a deputy on road patrol with the rotating schedule of
the era, Runkle was all over the county in a cruiser much of the
time, and his schedule would change every week or two, leaving no
chance for a normal routine.

In addition to working under such a schedule, he excelled and
progressed into the department's Narcotics Division in 1983. It was
during this period of time when Runkle would find one of his true
passions, investigating and fighting the illegal drug trade. He
explained that the nature of the work piqued his interest and he was
happy to spend his days that way.

He remained on the Narcotics Division until 1990, but before he was
promoted to sergeant in the division, he worked for the federal Drug
Enforcement Administration out of Buffalo, where he had many
memorable adventures.

''We had a number of successful drug busts but there was this one in
particular in Buffalo which stays with me,''Runkle said. ''We were
investigating a cocaine trafficking operation out of Florida when I
went undercover and bought a quarter of a million dollars worth of
coke. That was probably the largest bust of my career.''

When asked where the satisfaction lied in arresting drug dealers,
Runkle said the answer is simple.

''Whenever we can take a large amount of drugs and (drug) money off
of the streets, you feel a sense of accomplishment,'' he said. ''A
lot of work goes into every case and it's always nice to see them
come to fruition, and even better when you get a conviction.''

After his work with the DEA, Runkle returned to the Sheriff's
Department where, in 1990, he would continue to climb the ladder of
success. He was promoted to lieutenant, and despite being reassigned
to road patrols with his new title, he embraced the change of pace.

''I guess you could say I was back on the road again,'' Runkle said.
''The technology we were using had changed since 1980, but it was
still the same old police work that brought the results. I don't
think that will ever change.''

Runkle remained on the roads of Chautauqua County for the next 14
years, until his career would seemingly come full circle.

BACK TO FIGHTING DRUGS

With the rank of lieutenant, Runkle was tapped to lead the Southern
Tier Regional Drug Task Force, a group comprised of members from
different area law enforcement agencies whose goal is simple - to use
special tactics to combat illegal drug trafficking in the area.

''When I came to the task force in 2004, a lot of things had changed.
Back in the 1980s, you didn't have a lot of money to buy drugs with,
and didn't have the best equipment or enough manpower,'' Runkle said.
''So to get back in the saddle and do things I had done years ago
was exciting. I was blessed with an amazing group of guys who always
did amazing work. Together, we arrested some significant violators
and took product off the streets, and they always made me look good.''

Det. John Ferrara, who retired from the Jamestown Police Department
last year, said he worked on the task force for seven years,
including the four years Runkle led the group. He said that after
several years in law enforcment, Runkle stands out among his peers
for many reasons.

''He is a one-of-a-kind supervisor who never blew smoke and didn't
sugar coat anything,'' Ferrara said. ''You always knew where you
stood with him, and that's not as common as it once was.''

The retired detective said Runkle was willing to go above and beyond
the call of duty in order to ensure cases were not only solid, but as
comprehensive as the crimes being committed. He also said Runkle
always made himself available for investigations, even those outside
the realm of illegal drugs.

''He believes in strong cases and was very knowledgable about
bringing up federal charges when the situation warranted it,''
Ferrara said. ''You can always buy small amounts on the streets but
when you can go after the big fish and know that your supervisor is
not off to the side but right behind you, it makes a huge
difference. Hands down, he is one of the best guys I ever had a
chance to work with.''