PHOENICIA, N.Y. – Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan, joined by members of the Ulster County Legislature and Shandaken town officials, announced the dedication of the Bridge Street Bridge in Phoenicia as the “Sheriff Michael LaPaglia Memorial Bridge” in honor of the former Ulster County Sheriff. The bridge, which crosses the Esopus Creek on County Route 40, is one of only two access routes to the Shandaken hamlet of Phoenicia.
Retired Ulster County Sheriff Michael LaPaglia passed away in May, 2017. LaPaglia’s career began in 1954, when he started his over 40-year career in law enforcement as an investigator in New York City, later spending almost 20 years with the New York Police Department, commuting back and forth every day from the city to his home in Ulster County. LaPaglia began his service to Ulster County in 1976, serving in the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office in the Special Investigation Division where he worked his way up the ranks becoming Lieutenant then Captain. LaPaglia was elected to his first term as Ulster County Sheriff in 1986, where he served for three terms until 1998. Under his leadership, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office achieved accreditation in 1992.
In addition to his role in the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, LaPaglia served his community in Shandaken as Town Constabulary Administrative Chief and as a Shandaken Town Councilman.
“Former Ulster County Sheriff Michael LaPaglia dedicated his life to service, working to keep our community safe,” said County Executive Pat Ryan. “After his over 40-year career in law enforcement, this bridge, which connects residents right into the heart of Shandaken, will remind residents and travelers of Ulster County of his enduring legacy protecting and caring for his community.”
“Former Sheriff Michael LaPaglia served three terms as Ulster County Sheriff. He was a dedicated law enforcement officer at all levels, highly respected by his peers and deeply devoted to his family,” said Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa. “As Sheriff of Ulster County, he brought vision and change. His accomplishments during his time as Sheriff helped clear a path for increased professionalism and earned the respect of the men and women of the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff LaPaglia passed away in 2017, but his legacy lives on.”
"Michael LaPaglia found beauty and serenity in the Catskill Mountains," said Ulster County Legislator Kathy Nolan. "He encouraged many members of his extended family to move here, and he manifested his love for this place not only by serving as a police officer and a local elected official but also by living in close connection with his community and with the wild nature around him. I am delighted with the bipartisan, unanimous decision from the Town of Shandaken and the Ulster County Legislature to honor Michael LaPaglia with the dedication of this bridge spanning the Esopus Creek he cherished."
“I'd like to thank the Ulster County Executive and Legislature for supporting this dedication. This is but a small token for us to show our endearing respect for the service Sheriff LaPaglia provided our community as well as the County of Ulster,” said Shandaken Town Supervisor Robert A. Stanley. “The Michael LaPaglia Bridge should lead to endearing his legacy of public service due to his love for his community for generations to come.”
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