Schuylkill County Sheriff Joseph Groody announced he will run for re-election.

First elected in 2009 after serving one year as an appointed sheriff, Groody is anxious to continue serving his county and its residents."It's been an honor and a privilege to serve as Schuylkill County's Sheriff," Groody said. "The sheriff's office continued to make progress in my second term. The courthouse is safer. Deputy sheriffs continue to be trained in all aspects of law enforcement. Our office also has helped to improve and augment law enforcement in this county."My combined experience of more than 39 years as a municipal police officer and sheriff has helped me to manage the county's sheriff office more efficiently and effectively. But I also am blessed to have a force of dedicated deputy sheriffs."As county sheriff, Groody has pursued undocumented workers illegally working in the area; assisted the County District Attorney's Office and municipal police forces track down and apprehend fugitives; and provide assistance to the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force in the war against drugs. Groody's office also has stepped up repeatedly to help fingerprint children during safety-night-out events."Being sheriff is about more than catching criminals, moving prisoners and issuing civil complaints. It's about helping people and being proactive in all facets of law enforcement," he said.Groody graduated from North Schuylkill High School in 1976 and the North Vocational Technical School in 1976. Groody joined the Ashland Police force in 1977, and entered the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey, graduating in 1978 with his Act 120 certification.Groody was born and raised in Ashland. He is an active member in the Washington Fire Company; Washington Community Fire Company and Ambulance & Rescue; a member and officer of the

F.O.P. Lodge 25 for39 years and was2016 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year; Ashland Elks, where he served as district deputy grand exalted ruler of the northeast central district, and exalted ruler Ashland Lodge. Groody attends St. Charles Borromeo Church (formerly St Joseph Parrish) in Ashland.Groody resides in Ashland with his wife, Ann Marie "Fertig" Groody, and children, Faith and Joey.