Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple received his award as National Sheriff of the Year.

Apple was presented with the award on Wednesday in Oklahoma by the National Sheriff’s Association.

Apple is the first sheriff for New York ever to receive the honor.

Apple told NewsChannel 13’s Mark Mulholland on Friday before he left that he viewed the award as a testament to the hundreds of hard working men and women of the sheriff’s office.

He was introduced at the ceremony by Washington County, Sheriff Jeff Murphy who spoke of Apple’s kindness when Murphy was battling a serious medical condition.

Saratoga County Sheriff Mike Zurlo also attended in support of Sheriff Apple. Apple has been with the sheriff’s office for 38 years.