Westmoreland County’s new chief deputy sheriff should be familiar to a lot of residents throughout Western Pennsylvania as well as many in law enforcement.
John P. Rock, 66, of Crabtree, who retired in 2008 after 25 years with the state police, began his duties this week after his appointment by Sheriff James Albert.
“We are really excited to have John join us with the sheriff’s department. His experience in law enforcement will… keep the sheriff’s department running in a professional direction,” Albert said.
Rock enlisted in state police in 1983, working as a patrol trooper in Greensburg, Indiana and New Castle stations. He was promoted in 2000 to sergeant working in the Greensburg, Uniontown and Washington stations. In 2002, he became station commander in Somerset, where he was assigned for four years.
In 2006, he was promoted to lieutenant and assigned to the commercial motor vehicle safety section of the agency’s patrol section out of Harrisburg as its commanding officer.
In 2007, Rock returned to Western Pennsylvania, as commanding officer of the patrol section out of Troop B in Washington.
He was among the state law enforcement agency’s first accident reconstructionists.
“I was really humbled when Jim asked me if I would take the job. But I’ve been retired for 13 years and wanted to discuss it first with my wife, but we thought it was a great opportunity,” Rock said.
Rock said he has spent his first week familiarizing himself with the office departments and personally introducing himself to the deputies and staff.
“I found I’ve worked with a few of the deputies over the years. It appears to be an excellent staff in place, very professional from everything I’ve seen,” Rock said.
During retirement, Rock also operated a defensive driving programs for seniors, private companies and government entities.
Rock is a life member and former chief of the Crabtree Volunteer Fire Department.
“I’m really looking forward to helping the (sheriff’s) department,” Rock said.
Rock and his wife, Becky, have two adult children, Jennifer and John, and three grandchildren.
Rock succeeds Thomas Abraham of Unity, who was a U.S. Army veteran and served a few months in the post before he departed last year.
The position pays $45,000 a year.
