John Zechman. (Submitted photo)

MIDDLEBURG – Many of America’s communities have become polarized along political and ideological lanes, with various groups facing off in ways that do not foster unity.

With such deep division, law enforcement officials have looked at ways to address these issues and find the root cause.

Community policing has been heralded as a productive way for law enforcement agencies. Working closely and collaboratively with their communities allows them to build strong relationships, find common ground across political lines and use interactions, relations and social media to tell police stories and strengthen trust.

One example is in Snyder County as John Zechman takes immense pride in being a “working sheriff” for the Snyder County Sheriff’s Office.

The 45-year-old sheriff approaches his job the same way whether he’s on patrol policing the streets of Middleburg or enjoying a refreshing glass of lemonade with some youngsters at their curbside stand on a sizzling summer day in McClure. Zechman’s focus is to protect and serve his community.

“I like helping people, I’m a people person,” said Zechman, who has served Snyder County for the past nine years. He was recently elected to his third team as sheriff in November 2023.

“I want to serve people,” he added. “It doesn’t matter what their race is, what their political affiliation is, what their economic status is, I just enjoy helping people. There’s still a lot of respect for law enforcement and in this region as a whole.”

Zechman has been employed with the county sheriff’s office since 2010 as deputy sheriff before his election to his first of his three four-year terms as a sheriff in 2016. His second term expired at the end of 2023.

Building a Solid Foundation

During his time as sheriff, he takes considerable pride in building a law enforcement department built on the “solid foundation of respect and professionalism.”

“I have been blessed to be surrounded by many supporters throughout the community, along with a first-class staff,” Zechman said.

He cites as some accomplishments the establishment of the county’s first K-9 unit; upgrading courthouse security equipment and records management software; expanding the Drug Take Back program; streamlining the license-to-carry process; and being involved in community events such as Snyder County Night Out.

Zechman acknowledges community support for the success of many of those endeavors. “Canine programs are usually funded by grants and donations,” he said. “We needed to raise $10,000 within two years, but we raised $20,000 within six months’ time. It’s been up and running now since 2017.”

The canine program has proven to be a critical component for drug detection and human tracking.

K-9 partner Leo has been called upon many times to assist other agencies with drug searches and tracking deployments. Leo is also an unbelievably valuable educational tool and has made several appearances in school classrooms, scouting groups and other community events to educate the public on his abilities and to create awareness on drug prevention.

In the past, the scouts and schools have held fundraisers, which have resulted in thousands of dollars in donations for the Synder County K-9 Unit.

Previously, the sheriff’s office has also entered into internship programs with area schools like SUN Area Technical Institute’s criminal justice class. The program provides students enrolled in the class with two weeks of on-the-job experience in law enforcement.

The sheriff’s department has also worked with other organizations, like the Loyal Order of Moose No. 1229 of Middleburg, who have donated Tommy Moose stuffed animals to be used for kids that might need comforting during a difficult situation.

“This is another great example of a community organization partnering with law enforcement to make a positive impact on our youth,” Zechman said. The sheriff’s department also has a supply of Leo stuffed animals on sale.

County at Forefront of Technology

“There have been a lot of advancements in the 15 years of my law enforcement career, especially in technology,” Zechman said.

The patrol units in Snyder County are equipped with lifesaving automated external defibrillator (AED) devices thanks to a cooperative effort between Zechman and Snyder County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Derick Shambach.

Zechman had approached Shambach to see If there was funding available to purchased AEDs, without using taxpayer dollars, as an added service to the community for anyone who might be experiencing a cardiac emergency until emergency medical services arrived on the scene.

Shambach reached out to the EMS community and secured financial commitments from Evangelical Community Hospital, DH&L Ambulance and Hummels Wharf Fire Department.

Serving on a Statewide Level

Zechman graduated from the Pennsylvania Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Academy at Penn State University with honors.

Born and raised in Snyder County, he has numerous accolades and accomplishments during his watch. He is a member of the National Rifle Association; National Sheriffs’ Association and Pennsylvania Sheriffs’ Association, where he served as first vice president. He also serves on the county prison board, county safety committee and local Emergency Planning Committee.

Zechman serves Snyder County on a statewide level after being sworn in as president of the Pennsylvania Sheriff’s Association in July 2023.

He was elected to the association post for a one-year term and sworn in by Senior Judge Michael H. Sholley at its 100th conference. Zechman succeeds Sullivan County Sheriff Bobby Montgomery.

“It is a true honor to serve Snyder County on a statewide level,” Zechman said shortly after taking the post.

“I came up through the ranks,” Zechman said of becoming president. “You have to get nominated and elected. I started out on the executive board, performing expected duties of the association. Then I became second vice president, then vice president then president.”

Zechman has had a similar ascent to becoming Snyder County sheriff. “I’ve always had an interest in public service,” he explained. 
”And I’ve always been involved with emergency services or law enforcement.”

That led him to join the McClure Volunteer Fire Department as a junior firefighter in 1994. After serving McClure for a decade, he joined the Beaver Springs station when he moved to Beaver Springs in 2004.

He crossed over into law enforcement in 2009 when he reached out to former sheriff Joseph Reigle Jr., who retired in 2015, about an opening in the department. A few months later, Zechman started what has become a very distinguished career.

Policing at the Core

It’s the little things that matter to Zechman, too. He volunteered at this year’s 132nd McClure Bean Soup Festival and Fair, popping his head out of a window to pose with Fair Queen Gracie Mitch last September.

A week later, Zechman also purchased a rabbit to support 4-Her Bailey Adams at the Beaver Community Fair Youth Livestock Auction.

During the dog days of summer in August 2023, he stopped to meet young Madi while out on patrol in Middleburg. The youngster had a lemonade stand and bake sale set up to raise money for a set of new cages for her 4-H bunnies.

“She was great to talk to and has so much excitement explaining her bunny projects,” Zechman wrote on social media. The two posed for a photo and he promoted her effort as well using “#communitypolicing.”

At the Beaver Community Fair Livestock Sale in September 2022, Zechman purchased a dairy beef cow, which certainly put a proud smile on a young 4-Her’s face.

“Community policing and supporting our youth is one of my main goals,” Zechman said. “I support and try to get to know the youth of our community. I don’t want their only interaction to be when there is a problem.”

And Zechman believes the community getting to know law enforcement could circumvent those potential problems.

“As a result of having more community interaction, it makes us more approachable when they need help,” he added.

“Society has changed; however, I feel very fortunate and blessed to live in Snyder County,” Zechman said. “The community is still very supportive of law enforcement, unlike the national level.”

Feeling the Love

Zechman and his department felt that love and support in January 2021 when Middleburg Borough Chief of Police Tony Jordan died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in a presumed exposure while on duty, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.

Jordan had served with the Middleburg Borough Police Department for 40 years.

“He passed in the line of duty,” Zechman explained. “And he influenced many in law enforcement over the years.

“The way the community respected him,” he added. “He was very respected and very fair. That was recognized by the community as a whole. Tony was always willing to help other law enforcement agencies and EMS, especially the youth of the community.”

Zechman said Jordan provided guidance to youth who might not have had the best upbringing and took them under his wing, often bringing them to his kennel business.

“He gave them an opportunity, and you could see what that meant to people at his funeral services and the same with his procession,” Zechman explained.

“It’s something like I’ve never seen before in my life,” he added. “There was quite an outpouring, and he is deeply missed.”

A lifelong county resident, Zechman graduated from West Snyder High School. He and his wife, Angela, and their two sons live in Spring Township.