Montco Sheriff Resigns For Drexel Position

Montgomery County Sheriff Eileen Whalon Behr announced her resignation as Sheriff to the public in a media release Friday afternoon, as well as her intent to start her new position as Director of Police Operations at Drexel University in Philadelphia.

“It is with deep regret that I am announcing my resignation as Sheriff of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department (MCSD) for the position of Director of Police Operations at Drexel University in Philadelphia,” said Behr in the release. “It has been such an honor to serve the citizens of Montgomery County and a great staff over the years,” she added.

It is believed that Behr will start her Drexel position in January.

According to Behr, the process was quite quick; Drexel offered her the Police Operations position, and, after making a “difficult decision,” she accepted.

Behr, a retired Whitemarsh Township Chief of Police, was elected to her Sheriff position on Nov. 8, 2011. Behr followed Sheriff John P. Durante, who passed away.

As Sheriff she focused on collaboration with locals and community service.

According to Behr, she enjoys working with young people and helping to make neighborhoods better. “Accepting this position with such a prestigious university in the city will allow me to get back to what is very close to my heart, which is working closely with the community,” she said in the release.

A new sheriff will be elected in the next municipal election in 2015. In the meantime, as per Pennsylvania Code, Governor Tom Corbett has 90 days to appoint a new sheriff, who must be a Republican, the same party that Eileen Behr belongs to.