Steven John Dutcher

Steven John Dutcher "DUTCH", 50, of Greene, NY, passed away peacefully on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2021, after an 11-month battle with cancer. Born in Rochester, NY and raised in Oxford, NY, Steve was an accomplished athlete in high school winning state championships in Tennis, as well as holding high rank in competitive motocross races around the state. Steve felt the need to serve his community from a very young age and was a volunteer firefighter for the Oxford Fire Department in high school. Steve graduated from Oxford Academy High School in 1989 and joined the military. He was a Combat Engineer in the US Army from 1989-1995, and in the 101st Airborne from 1991-1995, receiving his Certificate of Commendation from the US Army upon his honorable discharge in 1995. Steve graduated from the Broome County Law Enforcement Academy and was hired as a patrol officer in the City of Norwich, then by the Greene Police Department in 2000. Steve received his NYS K9 Certification for handler, then a Certified K9 Trainer in 2000, his K9 patrol partners, Ozzie and then Mina, were a common sight throughout the area providing multiple police departments in surrounding counties K9 services. Steve rose quickly in rank and was offered the position of Chief of Police for Greene where he was responsible for managing a six officer police department. In 2008, his daughter, Josie Dutcher, was born. After her birth, Steve completed training at the FBI Training Academy and gained his NYS Certification as a Firearms Instructor. In 2011 his son, Judd Dutcher, was born. Steve retired as Chief of Police in Greene, NY in 2015 and relocated to Morris, NY. While in Otsego County Steve met his present wife Sarah Ells-Dutcher from Cooperstown, NY. Steve's love of motorcycles was reignited by Sarah and the couple enjoyed riding their motorcycles together all over the state. In 2015 Steve was hired at RJ Millworkers in Oneonta, NY as a Project Manager and in 2019, after relocating to Greene, NY with his wife to be closer to his children, Steve worked for Upstate Companies, LLC as a Project Manager. Steve's accomplishments at Upstate Companies, LLC are numerous. He was a, "valuable and highly respected employee", successfully completing state funded projects such as the new Veterinarian Complex at the Syracuse Zoo. Steve became interested in riding mules and "Coon hunting", where he spent many nights in the woods with his award-winning Walker Coon hound, "Jack". Steve lived a fulfilling and accomplished life, he enjoyed the company of others, loved the natural world, was a good neighbor, wonderful husband, fair, honest, and decent man, and loving father. Many loved Steve and looked up to him and many will miss him very much. He is survived by his wife Sarah Dutcher; parents; Sharon Wing of Morris, NY, and John Dutcher of Apalachin, NY; Siblings, Karen Smith, Julie Dutcher-Boyd, Kenneth Dutcher and Heidi Dutcher; his children Josie Elizabeth Dutcher (age 13) and Judd Thomas Dutcher (age 10), as well as a niece, Samantha Boyd and several nephews; Michael, Eric and Evan Smith, Cory Van Houten,and Trevor Boyd. A Celebration of Steven's life will be held at Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford, NY on Saturday December 11, 2021 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM and a dinner will follow at Fort Hill Post#376, American Legion in Oxford, NY at 4:00PM. Donations can be made to a living trust for Josie and Judd Dutcher, please send to Sarah Dutcher, Trustee, at: PO Box 527 Greene, NY 13778. Friends and Family may share memories and condolences by visiting www.behefuneralhome.com "Success is not the measure of a man; it is the triumph over those who tried to hold him back" - William J. Clinton