Groody received the award from 2024 Officer of the Year Coal Township Patrolman David Sage, recognizing a career that has spanned more than four decades in law enforcement and public service within Schuylkill County.
Lodge # 25 represents numerous retired and active Law Enforcement Officers who proudly serve throughout Northern Schuylkill and Southern Northumberland Counties.
Groody’s law enforcement career began with the Ashland Police Department, where he served for 31 years as a patrol officer and criminal investigator. He joined the department in 1977 and became Act 120 certified after graduating from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in 1978. Throughout his tenure with Ashland Police, Groody completed extensive training in criminal investigation, narcotics enforcement, evidence handling, fingerprinting, and other specialized law enforcement fields.
Following his municipal police service, Groody transitioned to county government and was appointed Schuylkill County Sheriff before being elected to the office in 2009. He was subsequently reelected in 2013, 2017, and 2021.
In addition to his county duties, Groody served in leadership roles at the state level, including as President of the Pennsylvania Sheriffs’ Association, becoming the first sheriff from Schuylkill County to hold that position.
Groody has announced that he is stepping down as Schuylkill County Sheriff and will not seek re-election, making Thursday’s recognition a capstone honor to a lengthy career dedicated to public safety and community service.
Also during the meeting, the 2025 officers were reelected.
Officers pictured Below
Front Row
Recording Secretary - Sheriff-Elect Shawn Butler
President - Rick Wilson
Vice President - Robert Belfanti III
Treasurer - Christopher Hand
Back Row
Trustee - David Sage
Chaplain - Sheriff Joseph Groody
Trustee - Raymond Walacavage
