Crime & Safety

Montco GOP Recommends New Sheriff

Recently-retired Norristown Police Chief Russell Bono will likely serve as sheriff through 2015.

Written by Brittany Tressler and Nicole Foulke.

The Montgomery County Republican Committee (MCRC) Executive Committee voted unanimously Wednesday night to recommend to Gov. Tom Corbett that formerNorristown Police Chief Russell Bono be nominated for the position of Montgomery County Sheriff, filling a vacancy caused after Eileen Behr resigned the post on Dec. 20 to take a job with Drexel University.

“Chief Bono has an extensive and distinguished career in law enforcement,” said MCRC Chairman Mike Vereb. “His record as chief in Norristown was filled with many accomplishments, and he will bring the highest degree of professionalism and integrity to the position.”

A letter will be sent from the committee to Governor Tom Corbett, who has been tasked with replacing Behr, who was appointed in 2010 and elected in 2011.

MCRC formed a search committee for the replacement, led by Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman.  The body, which included the president of the Montgomery County Police Chiefs Association, recommended Bono after a meeting on Tuesday.

If the  nomination is approved by the Pennsylvania Senate, Bono will hold the position through 2015.

Bono served as chief of the Norristown Police Department from 1998 to his retirement in 2013, which capped off 42 years of his law enforcement service to Norristown.

From 2006-2007, he served as Norristown's interim borough manager.

Find out what's happening in Chestnut Hill-Mt. Airywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Bono served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, where he served as a Military Police Officer and rose to the rank of Sergeant. 

Bono joined the Norristown Police Department in 1971 as a patrolman, eventually gaining a K-9 partner named King. While employed with the force Bono earned an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice from the Montgomery County Community College.

Find out what's happening in Chestnut Hill-Mt. Airywith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Chestnut Hill-Mt. Airy