Carbon County Sheriff Anthony C. Harvilla has announced that he will retire in January, with two years remaining in his current term.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Daniel Zeigler will serve as acting sheriff until a new one is approved by the governor and state Legislature.

Harvilla, 65, was first elected sheriff in 2015. Prior to that, the Banks Township resident worked in probation for the United States Courts for 25 years.

Harvilla’s retirement from the federal court was mandatory due to his age. Not ready to end his time in law enforcement, he ran for sheriff.

Six years later, he says it is time to step away. His last day will be Jan. 10.

“All the boxes seem to be checked, and for me it seems like it’s time,” Harvilla said.

He said he wants to pursue his many outdoor recreation interests such as hunting and boating, and enjoy time with his family and friends.

“I want to thank the citizens and voters of Carbon County for their continued support through the years.”

Harvilla is wrapping up his career where it started in 1977, as the county’s first prison work release coordinator.

Harvilla changed the way that the sheriff’s office protected the county courts and offices, and how it transports prisoners.

The sheriff’s office beefed up the entrances of all county court and office buildings with bulletproof barriers, metal detectors and armed deputies.

The office bought a van to carry more inmates back and forth from the county jail at one time, and created a secure area for loading it at the courthouse.

The number of employees in the office grew from 15 to over 30 employees.

Harvilla said many of the changes he made while in office were ideas that he came up with during his campaign, and a brief stint as a deputy sheriff before he was elected.

“The time has come. We did what we needed to do, we accomplished the goals,” he said.

Former Commissioner William O’Gurek said he was at first reluctant to budget the money Harvilla requested for security, but the sheriff convinced him of the need.

“I was blessed to be able to learn from Tony in areas I wouldn’t have taken as seriously as needed. It took us to whole new level.”

O’Gurek said security was enhanced everywhere from the courthouse to the annex, to the magistrate’s offices.

“He really enhanced the security all the way around. You take those things for granted.”

O’Gurek added, “Tony went into the office with wonderful credentials. He’s a true professional. Carbon county benefited from his six years in office.”

O’Gurek wished Harvilla and his wife many years of health and happiness.

Commissioner Wayne Nothstein recalled that he and Harvilla collaborated, despite having different opinions on many issues.

“We never held a grudge. We stated our opinions, and worked together, the way it should be,” Nothstein said, wishing Harvilla a happy, healthy retirement.

State Sen. John Yudichak (I-Luzerne, Carbon) commended Harvilla for his 44-year career in law enforcement.

“Sheriff Harvilla spearheaded many initiatives that have improved Carbon County courthouse security as well as the court and prison systems. I would like to wish Tony the very best in this next phase of his life, and I would like to thank him for his dedicated years of service to the people of the Commonwealth and to the people of Carbon County," Yudichak said.

Harvilla also leads the Carbon County Prison Board. The board fired the warden in April. Harvilla said the search for a new warden is nearly complete.

He also plans to step down from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which he was appointed to in 2018 by Gov. Tom Wolf.

The new sheriff will be appointed by Wolf, and confirmed by the state Legislature. But in the interim, state law says the chief deputy becomes acting sheriff.

Harvilla said having Zeigler as his second in command makes it easier for him to step away. He said Zeigler is highly qualified and already takes a large role in managing the sheriff’s office.

“I have no qualms about him being able to take over and run the office,” Harvilla said.

Zeigler has worked in law enforcement for more than 20 years. A Panther Valley graduate with a family tradition in local law enforcement, Zeigler said it will be an honor to serve his community as sheriff, and to follow in Harvilla’s footsteps.

He said their similar approach to the job means there should be no noticeable change when Harvilla officially retires Jan. 10.

“We’re a small tight knit group. We all work well together and I expect it will be a seamless transition going forward,” Zeigler said.