Juan Figueroa

Sheriff - Ulster County Sheriff's Office

Juan Figueroa has always been moved by a sense of service to people in his community and country. Juan joined the US Marine Corps straight out of Wallkill Senior high school. Stationed in Japan, South Korea, Camp Lejeune NC, he took back with him important lessons in life: the importance of racial diversity and respect, regardless of personal differences. After active duty with the Marines for four years, Juan served 18 years with the Marine Corps Reserve. During that time, as Chief Warrant Officer, he held primary responsibilities in Operations, aviation logistics support, budget, training, deployment, and base facilities abroad. In the early 1990s he deployed and was in charge of deploying over 150 Marines and support requirements during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Juan became a trooper with the New York State Police in 1988, patrolling roads in Ulster County. During his 25-year career with the State Police, he assumed key leadership roles initially as a Police Academy Instructor and Field Training Officer, then as an Investigator with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation for 19 years. Juan worked on several long-term investigations involving Money Laundering / narcotics and drug cartels. Investigations during his term resulted in the seizure of over $60 million in cash, 400+ kilos of drugs, and the arrest of key figures in the drug trade. Juan also was part of investigations relating to organized crime, economic crime, corruption, racketeering, extortion, identity and vehicle theft. With a distinguished career as a veteran and five years in the corporate arena, Juan brings a broad perspective to law enforcement. He believes in upholding the law while working with the community and applying proactive, innovative, and sensible approaches to the county’s most pressing issues, such as the opioid epidemic. Juan represents a brand of leadership that values fairness, compassion, respect, and the highest standards of professionalism at all levels. After many years of public service, he remains bound by an unwavering sense of duty and deep commitment to the community.

Sessions