Ryan announces bid for district judge
Joseph C. Ryan, police chief for the Masontown Police Department, said his 30 years of experience in law enforcement would provide him with the know-how needed to serve the local community as a magisterial district judge.
“From making arrests to prosecuting criminals, I’ve working with magisterial district judges all throughout Fayette County and Greene County,” Ryan said. “I’ve had a lot of experience with the courtroom and I know what it takes to manage a courtroom.”
Ryan announced on Friday he will seek the Democratic and Republican nods for magisterial district judge, for the district serving Georges, German, Nicholson and Springhill Townships as well as Fairchance, Masontown, Smithfield and Point Marion boroughs. District Judge Randy Abraham, who currently holds the seat, is expected to retire this year.
Ryan has served as police chief for the Masontown Police Department since May 2008, and he began his career with the department in 1984. Ryan worked his way through the police ranks as a patrolman, K-9 handler, corporal and sergeant.
He also worked as a corrections officer for the Fayette County Prison, and was assigned a supervisory position with the Fayette County Drug Task Force from 1990 to 1998.
Ryan said has worked with municipal police departments in several surrounding counties in Pennsylvania, as well as West Virginia. He has also worked with the Pennsylvania state police, the office of the Attorney General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the secret service and the Drug Enforcement Agency.
“Law enforcement has been in my blood for 30 years,” Ryan said. “And with Judge Abraham retiring, I saw it as the opportune time for me to run for office.”
Ryan is a graduate of Albert Gallatin Senior High School and holds a degree in Administration of Justice from Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. He is also a graduate of the Pennsylvania Corrections Academy and the Pennsylvania State Police Academy.
“Being in police work for 30 years, I think I have what it takes,” he said. “It would be an honor to continue to serve the community in this position, with pride and respect.”