Write a commentMothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) New York, STOP-DWI New York, and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee honored retired Oswego County STOP-DWI Coordinator Robert Lighthall during their joint law enforcement recognition event on May 1 in Albany.
Lighthall was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his lifetime commitment to keeping New York roads safe and protecting community members from impaired driving.
A 1980 graduate of the Onondaga Police Academy, Lighthall began his career as a corrections officer with the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office before becoming a deputy patrol officer in 1981. He worked his way up through the ranks from patrol sergeant to patrol lieutenant before becoming Oswego County Undersheriff in 1999, a position he held until he retired from law enforcement in 2011.
Lighthall’s specialties during his tenure with the Sheriff’s Office included crash investigation and reconstruction, as well as crime scene drawings. He also had a particular interest in STOP-DWI patrols and so, just one year into his retirement, Lighthall was appointed Oswego County STOP-DWI Coordinator.
For over a decade, Lighthall worked tirelessly to build up the program in the community and raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving. He remained with Oswego County STOP-DWI until 2023 – although he had “retired” again in 2021, he served as acting coordinator for two more years until his replacement could be found.
Volunteering and community involvement have been a cornerstone of Lighthall’s life and career. He enriched not only his local program, but the STOP-DWI Association, where he served as treasurer, then vice chair, along with various sub-committees such as ‘Fines Not Collected,’ ‘Victim Advocate,’ and ‘Conference Planning.’ He has also been a member of the Oswego County Traffic Safety Board, Oswego County Prevention Coalition and the Elks’ Club Drug Awareness Program. To this day, he can still be found helping the Oswego County STOP-DWI Program with Mock DWI Crash events at area high schools.
The joint recognition event is held each year to recognize and honor the work of law enforcement professionals and agencies across New York State who have shown outstanding dedication to DWI enforcement, prosecution and education.
Over 135 awards were distributed during this year’s event which welcomed more than 320 people to recognize and thank those working to keep community streets safe from drunk and impaired driving.
Other awards included the Leader of Excellence Award, 2023 Top State Arresting Officers, DRE Enforcement Awards, Recognition of Excellence Awards, Recognition of Excellence – Non-enforcement Awards, Impaired Driving Enforcement Unit Recognition Awards and Department of the Year Awards.
