Jim Bowen, the longest tenured Sheriff in New York State, began his career as a Saratoga County Deputy Sheriff in November of 1965. Less than three years later, he was promoted to Investigator. In December of 1972, Governor Nelson Rockefeller appointed him Sheriff of Saratoga County. The following November, he was elected to the position and he has since been re-elected nine times. Sheriff Bowen is a Veteran of the U.S. Army, serving 15 months in Korea. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. In addition, the Sheriff is a graduate of the New York State Office of Local Government, Division for Local Police, Basic and Intermediate Police Schools. Sheriff Bowen also attended the Moran Institute, St. Lawrence University. In addition, he has attended numerous police and corrections schools. Saratoga County has a population of 263,500 and an area of 815 square miles.