Suffolk County Holds Ceremonial Walkout Honoring Undersheriff Steven Kuehhas' 40-Year Career

Undersheriff Steven Kuehhas was honored in a traditional law-enforcement "walkout" and retirement ceremony in Yaphank, hosted by Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr., recognizing roughly 40 years of public service in Suffolk County. The event drew friends, family and colleagues who lined up to acknowledge a career that began in 1986 with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

County Executive Ed Romaine, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina and representatives from the District Attorney’s Office were among local legislators and members of multiple law enforcement agencies who attended the ceremony in Yaphank. Colleagues described the gathering as a cross-section of agencies Kuehhas worked with during his decades-long career, including former partners from the sheriff and District Attorney’s offices.

Kuehhas started in the District Attorney’s Office in 1986 and later handled "numerous serious felony cases," including violent assaults, robberies, rapes, vehicular manslaughters and public corruption matters. From 1996 to 2016 he was assigned as the East End Bureau Chief, "prosecuting crimes within the five eastern towns and villages of the county, where he worked closely with numerous state and local police agencies." After a career as a prosecutor and bureau chief, he left the DA’s office in July 2016 to become undersheriff under Sheriff Vincent DeMarco; as undersheriff his duties included "oversight of operations for both the professional, corrections, and deputy sheriff personnel."

Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. delivered remarks at the walkout, saying, "For nearly four decades, Undersheriff Steven Kuehhas has dedicated his life to public service and the residents of Suffolk County are better because of it." Toulon credited Kuehhas' "integrity, experience, and steady leadership" as key assets to the Sheriff’s Office over the past decade and added that while he will be missed, the department wishes him a "happy, healthy, and well-deserved retirement."

The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office posted a brief tribute on its Instagram account that began, "Today, Sheriff Toulon and the men and women of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office honor Undersheriff Steven Kuehhas for 40 incredible years of" service. A LinkedIn post from a colleague who worked with Kuehhas for more than six years offered a longer personal note: "I am incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with him for over six years. His leadership, steady guidance, and commitment to excellence set a standard that shaped not only the office, but those of us lucky enough to learn from him. Working with a team like Sheriff Errol Toulon, Undersheriff Kuehhas and Former Undersheriff Kevin Catalina was truly a privilege. Together, they formed an exceptional team of mentors whose leadership and example is something I will carry with me and cherish forever. Congratulations on an extraordinary career and a well earned retirement. Thank you for everything!"

LinkedIn commenters added personal congratulations by name: Edward Manzello wrote, "Steve you are a true professional and an amazing person. Wishing you health , and happiness in your well deserved retirement ."; Kelli Porti posted, "Congratulations on your retirement and thank you for your service 🇺🇸"; Frank Shea, listed as "Ret. Det. NYPD," contributed emojis and, "Wishing you and your family a healthy and happy retirement."

Kuehhas, the son of a Suffolk County correction officer, leaves a career that spanned prosecution and county law enforcement leadership and culminated in a ceremonial walkout in Yaphank. Sheriff Toulon’s parting hope for him was simple and specific: a "happy, healthy, and well-deserved retirement.