Eric Foy has announced his candidacy for Venango County Sheriff.  He is seeking the Republican nomination to the four year position in the May 2009 primary election.  Foy's campaign will bring accountability, credibility and leadership to the office of sheriff.  "I will be a full time sheriff and will oversee the day to day operations of the sheriff's office.  I will insist on the most cost effective way of management for the benefit of the taxpayer, and the security of our courts."

   Foy is a 1990 graduate of Venango Catholic High School.  He went on to work at the Abraxas Foundation in Marienville for two years as a life skills worker/counselor.  "Having worked with juveniles in that environment, I became aware of the troubles our youth face with drugs and alcohol."   In 1994, Foy started to work for Paul Goldberg at Baker Auto Parts in Seneca.  He worked there for eight years and was store manager for the last three years.  He resigned from that position to enroll in Mercyhurst College to pursue a career in law enforcement.  During his schooling, he had extensive training in criminal procedures, criminal investigations, law of arrest, crisis management, defensive tactics, use of force and vehicle code enforcement.  He graduated from Mercyhurst Municipal Police Academy with act 120 certification in 2002.  That same year he was hired at the Venango County Sheriff's Office as a deputy sheriff.  He was assigned to the Domestic Relations Office in 2004.  His duties entailed enforcement of court orders pertaining to child support and serving complaints for support.  He covered all hearings as security for the Domestic Relations Office.  In March of 2008 Foy was transferred from the sheriff's office and appointed to the Domestic Relations Sections as a full time enforcement officer.  Soon after, Foy was sworn in as an Adult Probation Officer with Court Supervision Services and continued to be dedicated to the Domestic Relations Office.

   Foy is on the Advisory Board for the Venango Fatherhood Initiative.  "I believe that a strong father makes for a strong family.  A Dad needs to be a role model for his children and be a big part of their lives."

   He has been recognized for completing courses on Combating Compassion Fatigue and also has been certified through Family Services as a volunteer counselor for sexual assault and domestic violence victims.  He is certified in the use of tasor, OC spray and baton.  Foy's campaign will include change.  "I stand firm on strong moral ethics as being the core that you've entrusted your elected officials to do the job that you pay them to do."

   Foy is a lifelong resident of Venango County and lives on a small farm in Cherrytree with his wife and their two children., ages five and three.  They are members of the Chapmanville Community Church.  Foy also is a proud supporter of the NRA.  "I believe in the right to defend yourself and your family if ever need be.  We have to be ever vigilant in the fight to protect our freedoms that were given to us by our  forefathers."

   Foy is an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police Tri-City Lodge 50.  "A great advantage I believe I have over other potential  candidates is that I have worked with every county agency affiliated with law enforcement.  I know many of these individuals directly and they know me.  I believe these relationships will allow me to maximize the overall County effort toward building an environment that our children and grandchildren can be proud to call home."