Sheriff Donald B. Smith (Ret.)
Donald B. Smith served as the 53rd Sheriff of Putnam County for 16 years from 2002-2017. Immediately prior to becoming the Sheriff of Putnam County, he had served as the Deputy County Executive of Putnam County from 1999 – 2001. He graduated from West Point in June of 1969, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Armor. His combat tour in Vietnam included service as both a Platoon Leader and Troop Commander in C Troop, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry.
Following graduation from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, General Smith was assigned for duty in the U.S. Army Europe. He commanded the 194th Separate Armored Brigade, the largest heavy Brigade in the United States Army, at Fort Knox, Kentucky, from August 1989 to August 1991. Following Brigade Command, General Smith served as Deputy Director of Personnel Support Policy and Services in the Office of the Secretary of Defense from September 1991 until September 1993.
From 1993 through 1996, General Smith also performed the major additional duty of Chief of the United States Delegation to the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM), a world organization consisting of 113 member nations who promote world peace by sponsoring military sports world championships. General Smith has attended numerous Army schools and training programs, including the prestigious Leadership Development Program for Executives taught at Eckerd College, and also earned a Master of Science Degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.
During his tenure as the Sheriff of Putnam County, Sheriff Smith emphasized community policing; all law enforcement throughout the County working together as a team; and focused on making the County safer for its young people by increasing the intensity of the war on drugs, and by emphasizing drivers’ safety programs and safety belt usage, especially for the youthful driving population. Smith served in numerous positions of great responsibility in the New York State Sheriffs’ Association to include serving as the President of the Association. He also served as the Chairman of the Legislative Committee and as a Trustee on the Executive Board. He continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the American Security Council Foundation, which promotes the military concept and strategy of “Peace Through Strength” and currently is the Chairman of its Board of Directors.
Sergeant Andy Matthews (Ret.)
Andrew Matthews retired as a Sergeant from the Connecticut State Police in July 2018, and currently serves as the Connecticut State Police Union Executive Director and General Counsel.
Andrew served as the Connecticut State Police Union President from July 2010 through July 2018. Prior to being elected President, Andrew was a member of the Executive Board from 2006 to 2010. Andrew became a member of the Connecticut State Police in 1998 (107th Training Troop), was selected as a detective within the State Police Major Crime Unit in 2000, and in 2004 was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Andrew graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Justice and Law Administration in 1993 from Western Connecticut State University, and received his master’s degree in forensic science from the University of New Haven in 2006. Andrew then attended the Massachusetts School of Law, where he was elected President of the Student Bar Association and was the recipient of the 2008 Deans Award. In 2008, Andrew received his Juris Doctor degree and was later sworn in as a member of the Connecticut Bar. In Andrew’s private law practice, he represents the Yale Police Benevolent Association and the Yale University Safety Officers Association in employment and labor matters, contract negotiations and other related litigation.
From 2005 to 2012, Andrew was an adjunct Professor at the Manchester Community College, where he lectured on Ethics, Crime Scene Processing and Policing in the Community. In 2014, Andrew was the recipient of the Gilbert High School Distinguished Professional Achievement Award for the participation, commitment and leadership he has shown in his profession.
In 2011, Andrew was elected to the Executive Board of the National Troopers Coalition (NTC), which represents 42,000 State Troopers from 41 states around the country. In 2015, Andrew was elected as NTC Chairman and served for two years. Andrew now serves as the Chairman of the National Troopers Coalition Charitable Foundation and as the Executive Director of the National Troopers Coalition.
Trooper Christopher Burgos (Ret.)
Chris served thirty-two years with the New Jersey State Police as a State Trooper, adhering to the code of “Honor, Duty and Fidelity.” Chris is President Emeritus of the NJ State Troopers Fraternal Association, the Business Manager of the NJ State Troopers NCO Association, a member of the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), the National Troopers Coalition (NTC), the Northeast Region Troopers Coalition (NERTC), and the NJ Society for Environmental, Economic Development (NJSEED). Chris works with members and the leaders of law enforcement, labor, business, corporate, legal, professionals and elected legislators at the local, state and national level. Chris advocates improving public safety and awareness by establishing, sharing, and maintaining vital communications and networking across the spectrum.
Chris has vast experience in all aspects of public safety issues, having worked in several assignments while out in the field, collaborating with those at the forefront of highway and traffic safety. New Jersey has established enforcement and compliance units in conjunction with the Federal Government that focus on the effects of high traffic volume in a very small State, especially on its interstate and toll roadways. The impact of large commercial vehicles sharing the road safely with the motoring public continues to be a priority. Ensuring safe passage of vehicles and goods is vital for robust interstate commerce to foster economic growth across the country.
Chris has been recognized for his years of service and leadership among the ranks of the nation’s law enforcement groups, and leaders in the labor and business arenas as a trusted and dedicated member of the professional community.
Chris is a graduate of Pompton Lakes High School in New Jersey, attended Montclair State University, Seton Hall University, Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations, Harvard Labor Union Leadership Program, and the Cambridge Police Union Seminars. Chris resides in New Jersey with his family.
Chief Steven R. Casstevens (Ret.)
Steven Casstevens is the former Chief of Police with the Buffalo Grove, IL Police Department. He retired in 2011 as an Assistant Chief with the Hoffman Estates, IL Police Department, where he served for nearly 30 years. He then served as Chief of Police with the Cary, IL Police Department for 2 ½ years prior to being hired in Buffalo Grove June of 2013. He began his law enforcement career in the Military Police with the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division in 1976.
Casstevens is a Past President of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP). He is a Past President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). He serves on the Executive Committee of “Fight Crime-Invest in Kids” as well as their National Leadership Council. He also serves on the Advisory Board for the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, the Board of Directors for L.E.A.D. – Law Enforcement Against Drugs, and the Executive Board of the Illinois Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).
He has been the recipient of numerous local, state, and national awards, including the two highest awards in the nation for highway safety: In 1997 he was the national law enforcement recipient of the “J. Stannard Baker Award” from the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, for lifetime achievement in highway safety. In 2004 he received the National Public Service Award from NHTSA for his contributions and achievements in traffic and highway safety in Illinois and throughout the nation. In 2015 he received the ILACP Highway Safety Leadership Award. In 2017 he was recognized by the Illinois Crime Commission with their Lifetime Achievement – Excellence in Law Enforcement Award.
Casstevens is a graduate of the 51st class of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff & Command (1991), the Executive Management Program and a member of the 216th session of the FBI National Academy, Quantico, VA (2004). He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Management from Judson University, and is a Certified Police Chief through the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. Casstevens currently serves as an Advisory Board member of the Global Police Network as well as a Founding Board member of the International Road Policing Alliance.
