DeFilipps, honored Sheriff’s deputy, seeks Murray highway post

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 September 2020 at 9:45 pm

Faces Dirk Lammes in general election on Nov. 3

Jim DeFilipps

MURRAY – Jim DeFilipps, an Orleans County deputy sheriff, is running to be Murray highway superintendent and has two lines in the Nov. 3 election.

DeFilipps, who was named deputy of the year in New York State in 2015, is seeking the highway post under the Independence Party and the independent “Jimmy D for Highway” party.

He faces Dirk Lammes Jr. in the Nov. 3 general election. Lammes has been endorsed by the Republican and Conservative parties.

The highway department is currently led by interim superintendent Louise Passarell. She has been handling the administrative duties for the department following the retirement of Ed Morgan on May 31, who served as highway superintendent for 30 years. Dennis Mandigo, the senior highway employee, is in charge of water.

DeFilipps, 43, will reach 20 years in law enforcement in December and could retire. This evening he said he welcomes the chance to stay active in Murray in a second career.

If elected he said he would get a CDL license to drive the highway equipment and also earn the license to oversee the water system. He currently has a CDL permit.

DeFilipps was working the night shift on March 21, 2015 when he was shot twice at about 3 a.m. following a high-speed chase with James Ellis of Wyoming County. DeFilipps was the first police officer on scene when Ellis wrecked his vehicle in Clarendon on Route 31A. Police were pursuing Ellis after a 911 call when he threatened an ex-girlfriend in Shelby with a gun.

After the crash in Clarendon, Ellis fled to a nearby wooded area and opened fire on DeFilipps and other deputies and police to arrive on the scene. DeFilipps, despite getting hit twice by gunfire, shot Ellis, killing him and ending the threat.

DeFilipps, after recovering from his injuries, returned to work full-time. He has managed the Orleans County Marine Patrol. He also has been a fire commissioner with the Holley Joint Fire District and is currently a village trustee in Holley.

He said he has experience in organization and administration, and can keep public funds within a budget.

Lammes currently owns Lammes Construction and works with municipalities with waterline repairs. His company also does snowplowing in the winters.

Lammes, 52, has been doing emergency waterline repairs for municipalities since 2001, mainly in the Town of Irondequoit. He also has a contract in the Town of Henrietta.

Besides the Murray highway superintendent, the other local positions in the general election include:

• County Clerk: Nadine Hanlon (Republican) vs. Diane Shampine (Conservative), 4-year term

• District Attorney: Joe Cardone (R), unopposed for 4-year term

• Coroner (3): Scott Schmidt (R), Charles Smith (R) and Rocco Sidari (R, C), all unopposed for 4-year terms

• Murray Town Justice: Theodore R. Spada, Jr. (R), unopposed for 4-year term

• Murray Town Councilman: Randy Bower (R), unopposed for 3-year term

• Shelby Town Supervisor: Jeff Smith (R), unopposed to fill vacancy, 1-year

• Shelby Town Councilman: Ryan Wilkins (R), unopposed to fill term for 3 years

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