A county sheriff annou­nced his candidacy for commissioner and his intent to retire from a longstanding career in law enforcement.

Bedford County Sheriff Charwin Reichelderfer said he will step down from the office after the end of his third term, allowing someone else to bring a new perspective to the position, and vie for the commissioner position to address some of the county issues he’s noticed over the years.

“After years of observing our county government, I believe it is time to step up, take the bull by the horns and work as a team in leading this county back to one that we can all be proud of,” Reichelderfer said.

“With four years in the Navy and 44 years in law enforcement not much scares me, but seeing where our county is headed does,” he added. “It’s time for a no nonsense commissioner with no hidden agenda, no games to play, no axe to grind — a commissioner that has only the good of our county in mind. That’s me and that’s why I have decided to run.”

The 68-year-old Repub­lican candidate said he has noticed a lack of communication between county government employees, structural and leakage problems with a parking garage adjacent to the courthouse and an issue with not raising taxes but approving a tax anticipation note.

If elected into office, Reichelderfer said he would focus on bringing in well-paid jobs and retaining the county’s youth.

After serving in both the U.S. Navy and the Pennsylvania National Guard, he joined the Bedford Police Department in 1974, where he worked for 33 years.

Reichelderfer started working as county sheriff in 2007.

The Bedford County native graduated from Bedford High School and is a member of a few local organizations, including the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #98, Old Bedford Village and the Pennsy­lvania Sheriff’s Association.

He is the chairman of the Bedford County Prison Board and an original organizing member of the victim services agency, Your Safe Haven.

Reichelderfer and his wife, Barbara, have a son named John.