Legislature's community safety committee releases statement on deputy injured in crash

Niagara County Legislator Paul B. Wojtaszek, R-North Tonawanda, who chairs the Legislature's community safety and security committee, issued the following statement about a serious accident involving Niagara County Sheriff's Deputy Allen Gerhardt:

"I've been in contact with Sheriff Voutour and a number of my colleagues in the Legislature regarding last night's accident in the Town of Porter. First, I want to extend the best wishes and prayers of the Niagara County Legislature for a speedy recovery to Deputy Gerhardt. Obviously, this was a serious accident, and we are hopeful that he is able to soon be home with his wife and three children.

"Niagara County stands behind the men and women who wear the uniform of our Sheriff's Office. We trust that Sheriff Voutour will conduct a full investigation, and that Sheriff's Office procedures in the time leading up to the accident will receive full scrutiny by the sheriff as well as the community safety and security committee. We are committed to the safety of our deputies, and will help our sheriff take all reasonable steps to protect their health and safety.

"We understand that Deputy Gerhardt was injured responding to another deputy's call for assistance. It speaks volumes about the special bond of trust among our county's law enforcement professionals that Deputy Gerhardt was rushing to help a fellow law enforcement officer when he lost control of his vehicle. We will honor that bond of trust moving forward, and will be a ready partner willing to help the Sheriff's Office as it copes and addresses the safety of our deputies."