Sgt. Kyle D. Rensel, Sheriff’s Academy director, and Verna Feather, widow of Dan Feather, present Richard Allen with a scholarship check.

The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Academy recently awarded recruit Richard Allen the Dan Feather Memorial Award, a $1,600 scholarship recognizing professionalism, character, and commitment to public service.

Allen has been enrolled in the Sheriff’s Academy, which is hosted at Jamestown Community College, since his acceptance in June.

Allen graduated from Falconer High School in 2010 before attending Finger Lakes Community College, where he studied conservation and criminal justice. He later earned an associate degree in individual studies from Jamestown Community College in 2014.

The Dan Feather Memorial Award was established by Verna Feather in honor of her late husband, Dan Feather, an 18-year veteran of the Jamestown Police Department. The award is presented to a Chautauqua County resident attending the Sheriff’s Academy who demonstrates the professionalism and character exemplified by Dan Feather during his law enforcement career. The scholarship awarded to Allen is the 28th presented since the program’s inception.

It is Verna Feather’s hope that the award serves as a lasting memorial to Dan Feather while supporting individuals beginning their careers in law enforcement.

The Dan Feather Memorial Award is administered through the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.