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Lewandowski retires from sheriff’s office
YOUNGSTOWN
Chief Deputy James M. Lewandowski is retiring today from the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office after 271/2 years there and with a total of 361/2 years of public service.
“I have enjoyed making many friends and collaborating with many fine men and women within the sheriff’s office and throughout the criminal-justice system,” Lewandowski wrote in a letter announcing his retirement.
“My most rewarding experience was to be part of a legacy that brought to reality the construction of a new jail and headquarters as well as a minimum- security jail,” he added. The minimum-security jail opened in 1994, and the new main jail opened in 1996.
“I have good numbers — 361/2 years of service — and I’m 561/2 years old, and that’s good arithmetic,” Lewandowski said in an interview this week.
Lewandowski gave several reasons for retiring now, including proposed cuts in Ohio public-employee pensions and the retirement of his wife, Elida, two years ago as assistant superintendent of the Youth Development Center in New Castle, Pa.
Noting that he is an avid hunter, fisherman and boater, Lewandowski said, “I plan on pursuing those hobbies to the fullest” in retirement.
Lewandowski said he’s undecided whether he’ll run for Mahoning County sheriff next year. However, if he runs, it’ll be in the March Democratic primary, he said, adding that he’ll decide whether to run in the fall.
“He’s been a key member of my staff, and his experience and knowledge was a valuable asset,” said Sheriff Randall A. Wellington. “He’s been instrumental in making my administration a success and a source of pride,” Wellington added.
Wellington said he’s undecided whether he’ll run for re-election next year and will likely decide in mid- September.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Lewandowski came to Youngstown to enroll in Youngstown State University, from which he graduated in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in law- enforcement administration.
Early in his career, Lewandowski was a part-time unpaid reserve deputy under Sheriff Ray T. Davis before working full time for Sheriff Michael Yarosh.
Lewandowski was a civilian radio operator and patrolman with the Youngstown police before leaving to become a State College, Pa., police officer.
Rejoining the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office in 1985 under Sheriff Edward Nemeth, he became jail commander in 1990.
Lewandowski served seven weeks in 1999 as interim sheriff between the departure of Sheriff Phil Chance, who was imprisoned for racketeering, and the arrival of Sheriff Wellington.
Lewandowski joins six other senior command staff and ranking officers who’ve retired from the sheriff’s office since the beginning of this year.
Chief Deputy Thomas Scanlon, of the sheriff’s administrative staff, retired April 9.
Capt. Marc L. Masto, a jail shift commander, and Sgt. Aurea Montero, records- division supervisor, left Jan. 1.
Lt. Dorothy “Candy” Guzzy of the corrections division, a Fraternal Order of Police union representative, retired Feb. 1.
Retiring March 1 were Sgt. Lewis A. Bonace, a jail supervisor, and Sgt. Ronald M. D’Apolito, day-reporting program supervisor.