He was the Democratic leader of Coney Island from 1917 until his death in 1954.
In 1933, he supported Joseph V. McKee for Mayor of New York City, and was removed by Mayor John P. O'Brien from his post as Assistant to the President of the Board of Aldermen.
[2] In June 1938, Sutherland was appointed as General Clerk of the New York Supreme Court in Brooklyn.
[3] He was Chairman of the Kings County Democratic Committee from 1952 to 1954.
He died on November 14, 1954, at his home in Sea Gate, Brooklyn.