Connellsville promotes two police officers
CONNELLSVILLE – A 12-year veteran of the police department has been named second in command. Mayor Judy Reed promoted Edward McSheffrey to the rank of captain, filling the vacancy previously held by now Chief Stephen Cooper.
“I’m very happy and a little nervous,” said the former corporal. “Everyone has been great and I’ve been learning something new nearly every day.”
McSheffrey, a 1988 graduate of Penn State University with a degree in administration of justice, worked for one year in the Bradford federal prison system before joining the Connellsville police force in 1990.
In 1995 he was promoted to corporal. McSheffrey said his new duties would include scheduling, payroll, overseeing the maintenance of the department fleet, monthly reports and assignment of citations.
“It’s a lot of work, but I’ve very grateful to Mayor Reed and council for giving me this opportunity,” he said.
Cooper said McSheffrey was a good choice for the position.
“Ed’s very aggressive and wants to learn,” he said. “He gets along well with the other officers and will make a good captain.”
McSheffrey and his wife Jamie and daughter Marissa reside in Connellsville.
Council also promoted John Gallagher to the rank of corporal, filling McSheffrey’s former position.
Gallagher, a Connellsville native, spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corps and 10 years working in the demolition industry before completing the Municipal Police Officer Training at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and joining the local force in 1995.
“I didn’t want to work anywhere else but Connellsville,” he said.
With the promotion, Gallagher said his duties would be expanded to include shift supervisor, when needed. He currently oversees the abandoned vehicle division and is the department’s marksman.
Cooper said Gallagher will also be placed on the force’s entry team, a group of trained officers who will be activated during emergencies once the program is instituted in the city.
“John is an all around good officer,” said Cooper. “The promotion is well deserved.”
Gallagher resides with his wife, Angela and two daughters, Lisa and Shannon, in Connellsville.