Bourke wins state-wide award efforts to stop drunk driving in Orleans County

Photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans County legislator Skip Draper, right, congratulates Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke for receiving the Maureen McCormick Lifetime Achievement award. It was presented April 28 by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, STOP–DWI and The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. Bourke was recognized during the Orleans County legislature meeting on Tuesday and was joined by chief deputies Jim DeFilipps, left, and Torry Tooley.

ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke has received a state-wide award for his efforts over many years to reduce drunk driving and keep the roads safer in Orleans County.

Bourke on April 28 received the Maureen McCormick Lifetime Achievement award, which was created in honor of Suffolk County special assistant district attorney.

Bourke arrested many drunk drivers on the road patrol as a deputy sheriff, including working on the night shift earlier in his 40-year career.

In the past six-plus years as the sheriff, he led the Sheriff’s Office to implement and expand drunk and impaired driving community outreach by obtaining the agency’s first DWI simulator, expanding community outreach into local schools, and increased Sheriff’s Office participation in prom season DWI simulations at schools.

These students from Lyndonville and Medina tried to steer pedal cars while wearing goggles that showed what is what like to have your vision affected by alcohol intoxicated or marijuana. The Sheriff’s Office had the pedal cars and googles available on May 12 as part of a mock DWI crash simulation today at the Ridgeway fire hall parking lot.

Under Bourke’s leadership, all eligible road patrol personnel have obtained training in ARIDE (Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement) to help identify impairment from drugs and alcohol. The training is hosted by the Sheriff’s Office and made available to other agencies within Orleans County.

Bourke also made a commitment to re-establishing the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Drug Recognition Expert Program. For many years, the Sheriff’s Office didn’t have a certified drug recognition expert, but has added two in the past two years.

Under Sheriff Bourke’s commitment to drunk and impaired driving enforcement, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office has experienced a 150% increase in DWI arrests from 2021 to 2025, going from 22 to 55.

Bourke started his career at the Sheriff’s Office as a correction officer, and then a road patrol deputy, lieutenant and K9 officer and undersheriff.

“Throughout his forty plus year career with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Bourke’s rank has changed, his roles have changed, but what has not changed is his commitment to drunk and impaired driving enforcement,” said Lt. James White, who nominated Bourke for the state-wide award.