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Paul Boscia, who had been with the Sheriff’s Office for nearly three decades, had just hung up his badge when he heeded the unexpected call to duty, Sheriff Donald B. Smith announced.
He will fill a vacancy left by the untimely death of 65-year-old Undersheriff Peter Convery, Smith said.
Convery was rushed to Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel last November after suffering an apparent heart attack at his Mahopac home, Capt William J. McNamara said. He could not be revived and was pronounced dead about an hour later.
Boscia’s starts his new job in early February and will remain in the position through the rest of Smith’s elected term of office, which runs through Dec. 31.
Boscia had retired last month after a distinguished 28-year career in the Sheriff’s Office.
He started as a correction officer for Putnam County in 1988 and was appointed deputy sheriff a year later.
He was first assigned to the Patrol Division and then became a K-9 officer.
In 2000, he was promoted to sergeant and in 2007 he was temporarily designated at the noncommissioned officer in charge of the Patrol Division.
He made first sergeant in 2008, a position he held until he retired last month.
Boscia received several letters of commendation during his career, including an award for negotiating the surrender of a barricaded man, another for peacefully disarming a suicidal man armed with a knife, and a lifesaving award for aiding a heart attack victim.
A firearms instructor, he and other instructors were commended for improving sheriff’s office’s firearms training program.
Boscia was an active member of the Air Force for 10 years before he joined the Sheriff’s Office.
He also served in the Air Force Reserve, retiring in 2006 at the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Boscia graduated from Manhattan College and the FBI National Academy.
“The death of Undersheriff Peter Convery left a big hole in our hearts and it also left big shoes to fill in leading the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office and in serving our citizens,” said Smith.
The sheriff added he was grateful to Boscia, and his wife, Regina, for putting their plans on the back burner for now and for “answering the call to duty for the people of Putnam County.”
Boscia said that he is “honored by the sheriff’s appointment” and that he is “privileged to serve as his undersheriff.”
Boscia added he was confident that his long experience in the Sheriff’s Office will enable him to serve the county well in his new role.
Calling Smith, “an outstanding leader," Boscia said he was prepared to assist him, and his command staff, “in fulfilling our mission to serve and protect the community with professionalism and dedication.”
The Boscias live in Putnam County. The couple have four children.
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