Brian J. Sharkey
Title/Position: Retired Law Enforcement Supervisor/Retired Security Consultant
Town / State: Long Beach, NY
Tell us about yourself and your family life:
Brian J. Sharkey was born and raised in Rockaway Beach, New York. He attended Saint Camillus Grammar School, Msgr. McClancy Memorial High School, Saint John's University, and John Jay College of Criminal Justice. His family has roots in Drumquin, County Tyrone, Ireland and County Roscommon, Ireland. Brian is married to his lovely wife Maria, and they reside in the Irish West End of Long Beach with their two golden doodles, Murphy and Farrell. Brian is very proud of his Irish heritage and joined the Emerald Society upon entering the Correction Department. From June 1986 to January 2000, he served on the Executive Board as Recording Secretary, Second Vice President, First Vice President, and President. As a delegate to the Grand Council of United Emeralds Societies Inc since 1990, Brian was elected in 1992 to the position of Corresponding Secretary. In 1994, he was elected to serve as the 1st Vice President and became the President due to the resignation of Brian Sullivan. He was then elected to a full term in January 1997 for two years and did not seek re-election.
Brian has been honored by the following organizations: NYS Courts Emerald Society 1998 Man of the Year, NYC Housing Authority Emerald Society 1998 Man of Year, NYCD Emerald Society 2000 President James Mulvey Award, 2002 NYC Saint Patrick's Day Parade Honorary Grand Marshal for NYCD Emerald Society, NYCD Emerald Society 2002 Irish Man of the Year Award, and Detective Barney Ferguson Emerald Legacy Foundation "2024 Irishman of the Year." On March 17, 1998, Brian served as the Aide to Grand Marshal Albert Reynolds (former Taoiseach of Ireland) in the 1998 New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, representing the Grand Council of United Emerald Societies. Brian has been a member of the Hibernians since 1990 and has served as Long Beach AOH Division 17 Financial Secretary, Vice President, and President. Brian was humbled by his selection as the Grand Marshal of the 2013 Long Beach Saint Brendan's Day Parade. Brian is also a proud legacy member of the New York City Knights of Saint Patrick, a member-funded 501c (3) nonprofit organization that financially supports the NYC Saint Patrick's Day Parade .
Tell us about your professional life:
In 1983, Brian started his law enforcement career as a New York City Correction Officer. He was promoted to Captain in 1996 and became the Security Captain at one of the department's largest facilities. Later, he served as the Operations Captain for the Department's Transportation Division and then was selected to serve in the Office of the Chief of the Department. He was moved to the Office of the Correction Commissioner, where he served as the Confidential Aide to the Correction Commissioner, William J. Fraser.
Brian retired from the Correction Department in 2003 and began working as a Rackets Investigator in the King County District Attorney's Office in 2005. Unfortunately, his new job was cut short due to an off-duty accident in 2007. After recovering from several surgeries, he started a successful security consulting business and retired in 2016.
What is your connection to Project Children?
My family was very active in attending the Project Children's boat ride and other Project Children events for countless years.
Do you have a favourite PC memory?
The Boat rides and all the good works that Project Children has done over 50 years.
Tell us what it means to be a PC ambassador for the PC Picnic and 5k and the Move to the Monaghan Peace Campus.
I’m very proud to be named a PC Ambassador, looking forward to the PC Picnic and visiting the PC museum in County Monaghan.
