With 2026 being our country's 250th anniversary, we wanted to periodically share moments in the history of the York County Regional Police Department. The fourth installment is focusing on Spring Garden Township Police Department.

YCRPD Moments in History: Chief Earle Shenk

The origins of the York County Regional Police Department are rooted in the departments that preceded it in the various municipalities that now comprise the jurisdiction.  When the York Area Regional Police Department was formed in 2000, it was a combination of the Windsor Township and York Township officers.  Although Earle Shenk had retired prior to this merger, he was a key to the decision to regionalize.

Chief Shenk, or “Shenk” as he was known by many, spent 29 years with the Windsor Township Police Department and retired as Chief in 1998.  Prior to his appointment to chief in 1972 he held the rank of sergeant under Police Chief Harry W. Sprenkle.  He also was an officer with the Spring Garden Township Police Department for seven years.  He was a veteran of the United States Army and was a graduate of the 111^th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. as well as leadership training offered by Penn State. 

Chief Shenk was well known across the commonwealth for his support of policing and police chiefs.  He was President of the Fraternal Order of Police, York County Lodge #73, President of the York County Chiefs of Police Association, and Treasurer of the Central Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association.  He was featured on the cover of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police “Bulletin” magazine for its Spring 1995 issue and much of the information included here was found in the cover article.  During his tenure as Chief in Windsor Township, Shenk was also relied upon during a vacancy of almost two years as the Administrator for the Red Lion Borough Police Department.

When Chief Shenk was nearing retirement, he was clear in expressing support for a regional police department.  There were efforts made to join the Red Lion Borough and Windsor Township Police Departments that did not go forward.  At the time he did retire, the decision was made to approve an Acting Chief and Sergeant Paul Redifer was the officer-in-charge until he and the remaining 8 officers joined with the York Township officers in 2000 to form the York Area Regional Police Department.  Earle Shenk was an invited guest at the swearing in ceremony for the combined department.

Earle Shenk died on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 at the age of 66.  In a newspaper article at that time, it was reported that he was known for his compassion and firmness and Lt. Redifer noted that he was also one who taught the philosophy of being a good police officer.  Chief Shenk was ahead of his time from with his involvement in advanced training, technology, innovation, and interagency cooperation. Many officers to this day can instantly remember Shenk’s mentorship and his specific way and words that were intended to steer them clear of trouble.  His influence on local policing and those he worked with has left its impact on today’s York County Regional Police Department.

Written by: Thomas C. Gross, Chief of Police (retired)

Chief Gross started his policing career in York City in 1973 and worked for 22 years advancing through the ranks and retiring in 1996 at the rank of Captain and Acting Chief of Police.  He was hired by York Township Police Department in that year and was instrumental in the police merger of York Township and Windsor Township Police Departments to form the York Area Regional Police Department, chartered in 1999.  After retiring in 2016, Chief Gross became the Executive Director of the PA Chiefs of Police Association.