What is a hero? It might be a man distinguished by exceptional courage, nobility, and strength. Or, perhaps a hero is a champion who fights for a cause. Or, a hero is one who carries out extraordinary deeds or who is a role model or who carries on through times of profound change, engaging in struggles, where there are ups and down, defeats and triumphs, but the hero in the end always perseveres to do the right thing. Heroes are extraordinary. Philosophers debate whether heroes are born or are they made. Or, are heroes simply the persons who step up to the plate and do their duty. A hero might be one who follows their calling with total dedication. Some heroes have a timeless, unchanging quality, radiating a nobility of purpose. Whatever your bent is in defining and categorizing heroes, Niagara County has our 55th Sheriff Thomas A. Beilein, who after a remarkable 40-year career of service and dedication to his fellow County citizens, retires. Hail a hero for our times!