Left to right, Butler Township police Chief Brian Barnhart and township Commissioner Ed Natali shakes hands with deputy Chief John Herold and his wife, Beth Herold, after he is sworn in. Sol McCormick/Butler Eagle

BUTLER TWP — Just four months after creating and advertising for the position, township officials have sworn in their new deputy chief of police.

John Herold took the oath of office at the Butler Township Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday evening, May 4, but his impact on the township was present even before receiving his badge.

Herold passed through the state police academy in 2006 and served nearly 20 years with Troop D. He retired as lieutenant and patrol section officer in January.

He has also been an active member of Butler Township Volunteer Fire District since 1993. A handful of firefighters with the district were present at the meeting to congratulate and support him.

The hiring process began in January, when township supervisors voted unanimously to draft a job description and advertise the position. The description was written by township manager Tom Knights and police Chief Brian Barnhart.

Knights previously said the position was created to keep up with the expanding department and create a larger chain of command than just Barnhart.

Herold, who is not a member of the police union, will be responsible for day-to-day administrative work and completing internal investigations of policy violations. He will also act as chief when Barnhart is unavailable.

His salary falls between $110,000 and $120,000 and was already set aside in the 2026 budget in preparation.