A Career in Criminal Justice

Eric M. Galarneau, a fourth-generation Cohoes native, served with distinction for 20 years as an Assistant District Attorney in the Office of Albany County District Attorney and has prosecuted thousands of criminal cases. During his tenure, he held a range of leadership positions including Bureau Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit; the Street Crimes Unit; the Major Offense Unit; and the Public Integrity Bureau.

In 2018, the District Attorney’s Association of the State of New York presented Galarneau with its prestigious Robert A. Morgenthau Award, named after the legendary Manhattan District Attorney. The award is presented annually to four prosecutors from around the state who exemplify Morgenthau’s ideals of protecting the public while administrating the law fairly and without fear or favor. Galarneau also received the New York State Police Special Investigation Unit Special Service Award for his work on long-term investigations with the State Police.

Eric followed his tenure in the DA’s office with a position as Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel for the New York State Criminal Justice Services, where he gained valuable insight into the policies and procedures of New York’s criminal justice system.

Galarneau earned his J.D. from Albany Law School in 1997 and was admitted to the New York State Bar shortly thereafter. He earned a B.A. Degree with a dual major in English and Political Science from McGill University in Montreal, Canada in 1994, and was the Class of 1989 Valedictorian of Cohoes High School.

He has long been active in his hometown of Cohoes, including service on the Cohoes Library Board and, as a member of the Holy Trinity Parish Council, as a lector, committee person on the Finance Committee, and a religious education teacher.