2023 Candidate Profile: Roy Kofroth Runs For Chester County Sheriff

CHESTER COUNTY, PA —Roy Kofroth, a retired park ranger and former sheriff’s deputy, is on the Republican ticket for Chester County sheriff in the November election.

The sheriff's office maintains safety in the Chester County Justice Center and other government offices in the 759-square-mile county with a population of over 530,000.

Patch asked two candidates for sheriff to answer three questions about their backgrounds and reasons for running for public office.

Kevin Dykes, chief deputy sheriff, is the Democratic candidate. The sheriff's position is a four-year term and an annual salary of $74,320.

Roy Kofroth is the Republican candidate

• Age: 63
• Residence: West Bradford Township
• Education: Sharon Hill High School School graduate
• Work experience: 40 years in administration, including the owner of Franklin Auto Glass, West Philadelphia; owner of Eagle Glass Shop, Upper Uwchlan; instructor at World Martial Arts, Upper Uwchlan; and Chester County sheriff’s office.
• Endorsement: Fraternal Order of Police Chester County Lodge 11
• Website is available here.

Question 1: Why do you want to be the sheriff of Chester County?

Answer: Kofroth said he is not a political person.

“ I started working in the sheriff’s office under Bunny Welsh. It was the most admired sheriff’s office in Pennsylvania. When the new sheriff was elected, things started to change."

Kofroth said that the sheriff’s office has had substandard and inadequate leadership during the last three and half years. He said the K9 unit was cut to two officers and the Fugitive Apprehension Team was dismantled. He said the deputies, including himself, left the office because of inadequate leadership.

Question 2: What are the primary responsibilities of the sheriff's office?

Answer: The primary job of the sheriff’s office is fairly broad. He said the most important part of the job is providing security for the Justice Center, 313 Market St., and the GSC building on Westtown Road.

“They are the law authority for the courts," he said. "Therefore, they serve warrants, transport prisoners, issue gun permits, catch fugitives and assist police departments. There are other duties but these are the most common.”

Question 3: What if any changes would you make in the office you were elected to the position?

“I want to restore the office back to the standard it once had. Get the deputy vacancies filled. Bring back the dogs and the Fugitive Apprehension Unit so that if there is a prison break, the escapee will get caught quickly and safely.”

Kofroth said the recent two-week manhunt to capture convicted murderer Danilo Cavalcante is unacceptable. He said that with additional K-9 dogs Cavalcante would have been captured in one day.