Jack D. Ripper, a Butler County native and longtime Penn Township police officer, has announced he will throw his hat into the ring for Saxonburg area district judge in the May primary election.

Longtime Penn Township police officer and county native Jack D. Ripper on Wednesday announced his candidacy for district judge in the Southeastern Magisterial District 50-3-03 in Saxonburg.

Ripper, 48, will seek the nomination on both the Democratic and Republican ballots in the May 16 primary election, according to a news release Wednesday.

The seat will become available Jan. 1, as current Judge Sue Haggerty has announced she will not seek reelection when her term expires at the end of the year.

Ripper has 27 years of experience as a law enforcement officer and has served as a patrolman in Penn Township since 2001. He also is a Knoch School District police officer.

He has been involved in local fire, rescue and emergency medical services since the age of 16 and served six years as an emergency dispatcher at the county 911 Center.

In 1994, Ripper received the Gregory B. Adams Memorial Award from the Pennsylvania Public Services Institute for demonstrating dedication and compassion.

“The position of district judge is all about people,” Ripper said. “The office is the entry point to the greater court system, so it is imperative that people have a magistrate who is fair, objective and willing to listen to all sides of an argument before reaching a conclusion.”

He said he is confident his experience in investigating and handling disputes and disagreements, along with his courtroom experience and observations, will allow him to serve the community well in the role.

Ripper said he has taken the certification course required to become district judge, and has firsthand knowledge of state laws and local ordinances.

“While upholding the law is paramount, it should be coupled with guidance for those who appear in court to assure that legal processes are understood,” he said. “I believe that there is value in seeking to eliminate repeat occurrences.”

Magisterial District 50-3-03 includes Saxonburg plus Buffalo, Clinton, Jefferson, Middlesex, Penn and Winfield townships.