NEWTONVILLE – Sheriff James L. Campbell, 77, died Thursday, March 22, 2018, at the Eddy Village Green at Cohoes with his family at his side; after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson Disease. Born in Troy on May 20, 1940, he was the son of the late Edward “Zip” and Marjorie Leonard Campbell. Jim was raised in Watervliet and was a 1957 graduate of Watervliet High School.
He began his law enforcement career in 1965 with the New York State Police. He was initially stationed at Troop B in Malone and transferred to Troop G, Loudonville in 1966, serving at the Brunswick station. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1974 and assigned to Troop T, Thruway and was promoted to Zone Sergeant in 1977. He was promoted to First Sergeant in 1984 and assigned to the New York State Police Academy. Jim earned numerous Troop Commanders’ Commendations throughout his career, including the Superintendent’s Commendation. He retired in 1989 when he was selected by the Albany County Democratic Committee to run for Sheriff.
He was elected Albany County Sheriff in 1989 and served Albany County for 22 years before retiring in 2011, becoming the longest serving Sheriff in Albany County history. During his administration the Sheriff implemented a variety of programs in public safety, including the Boarder Revenue Program, which has generated over 90 million dollars since 1990. The Sheriff established a countywide Drug Unit, Scuba Team and Marine Patrol, Search and Rescue Team, and many upgrades to the 911 Countywide Emergency Communications System. He also implemented an Advanced Life Support Paramedic Program in the hilltowns. During his tenure he achieved full Accreditation for the Sheriff’s Department Law Enforcement Branch and Correctional Facility.
The Sheriff was Chairman of the Albany Co. Traffic Safety Board, Coordinator of the County Stop DWI Program and headed the County’s Office of Emergency Management and Preparedness. He was characterized by a colleague who said “he was a class act who ruled with a quiet respectful manner to his fellow law enforcement officers”.
Besides working, which he loved, Jim was a member of the Watervliet Lodge of Elks, former member of the Watervliet AOH and a communicant of the Historic St. Mary’s Church in Albany. He enjoyed trips to the Saratoga Race Course, dinner at the Purple Pub and Valente’s Restaurant in Watervliet, and was an avid New York Mets fan.
He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Patricia A. Dugan Campbell; loving father of Kyle (Cathy) Campbell of Latham, Matthew Campbell of Cohoes, Jennifer (Adam) Hornick of Slingerlands and J.T. Campbell of Westerlo; proud grandfather of Rebecca, Kaitlin, Trevor, Morgan, Aidan, Kennedy, Brian and Jillian; dear brother of Paul (Connie) Campbell of North Myrtle Beach, SC, Ed (Sue) Campbell of Sunset Beach, NC, Mark (Charlene) Campbell of East Greenbush; brother in law of Tina (Tokarchuk) Campbell, of Clifton Park. He was predeceased by his brother Fred “Coach” Campbell and Robert Campbell.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Eddy Village Green especially Kay and Cheryl; “Shabaz”- Melissa, Melanie, Lynn, Lisa O, Lisa H, Sushma, Olivia and Katrina; nurses, Michele, Bree, Annie and Besem; hospice nurses Stephanie and Laura; and Chaplain Leo, for the outstanding care and comfort for Jim and our family. We will be forever grateful to them.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 27, at 9:30 AM at the Historic St. Mary’s Church in Albany. Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, in Watervliet. Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Monday, March 26, 3-7 PM, at Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim’s memory may be made to The Eddy Village Green Staff Enrichment Fund, 200 Village Green Way, Cohoes, NY 12047 or to The Community Hospice Gift Processing Center, 310 S. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208.
Condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com.

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