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About the JudgeHello, for those of you who don’t know me my name is John H. Fishel, (emphasizing my middle initial as many people mistaken me for the person in Dallastown who writes letters to the editor.) Born and raised in Windsor Township, I have been a resident all of my life. In 2024, Sandi and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary. We have two children, Brett and Dalton and two grandchildren, Carter and Kennedy. While growing up, I was active in Red Lion Recreation programs and the Boys Scouts of America. As a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Red Lion, I was in the Church Choir, Youth Group, and served on the Church Council and Property Committees. I graduated from Red Lion Area School District and went onto attend Mansfield University and York College of Pennsylvania majoring in Criminal Justice Administration. I completed an Associates of Arts Degree at Harrisburg Area Community College and Bachelor in Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in Business Administration at Penn State University. I graduated from the 39th Municipal Police Academy in Harrisburg and began my career with Windsor Township Police Department in 1987. I remained there through the merger with York Township to create the York Area Regional Police Department where I retired as a Detective Sergeant in July 2009. Over my career, I have been certified as a Police Academy instructor, and as an expert in the field of Accident Reconstruction. I have conducted and been successful in countless criminal investigations, including homicides, sexual assaults, fatal accidents and juvenile offenses. I’ve also had the chance to address many of the citizens through the start of the Neighborhood Watch Program, etc.
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I come from a very active family of life-long community service. I am the son of Robert and Jessie Fishel. My grandfather, Norman, served on Council and as the Mayor of Red Lion for 12 years as did my uncle, Evans, for 8 years. My father served as a Police Officer for Red Lion Borough for 30 years. I, too, have attempted to carry on this tradition as a member of the Red Lion Elks, Red Lion Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Zembo Shrine, Lions Club and the Kaltreider-Benfer Library Board. I am a former volunteer of the Red Lion Ambulance Association and served on the School/Community Support Services Committee for the Red Lion Area School District. I am the Past President of the Kaltreider-Benfer Library Board and was a former President of the York County Fraternal Order of Police and Red Lion Lion’s Club. I am a former PIAA Football Official and served as the Rules Interpreter for the YAIAA for seven years. I am also proud to be an associate member of the York County Bar Association.
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In 2004, I certified through the Minor Judiciary Education Board. With the help of many, I was elected by both parties in the May 2009 Primary as a Magisterial District Judge and subsequently was appointed by Governor Ed Rendell in July 2009. Since then, I have served as President of the York County Magisterial District Judge Association from 2011-2016 and was elected as the State President of the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania during 2017-2018 term. As a Police Officer and while serving as your Judge, I have spent many years working with and for the citizens of this area in an attempt to solve the problems that faced many of you. I take pride in being an active part in the schools and community to educate our children and the public regarding the Criminal Justice system. Using my knowledge, experience and common sense, I hope the community has been and will continue to be served well. Everyone should have a fair and equal opportunity to address the Court on the matters that concern them and our community and I expect nothing less.
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