Not only was it cheerful as incoming Sheriff Eric T. Spiegel and Chief Deputy Sheriff Keely Mahosky took their oaths of office, as Lycoming County’s 56th sheriff and his chief deputy sheriff, respectively, the atmosphere inside the packed room was bittersweet as it was the farewell for retiring Sheriff Mark Lusk, who served as sheriff for 16 years and 50 years in a multitude of public safety roles.

Also on hand was retired Sheriff Charles “Charlie” Brewer and his wife, Ruth, both of whom would be recognized shortly by Spiegel. It also was an hour-long ceremony that included touching tributes from the Court of Common Pleas judges as well as promises by Spiegel and Mahosky to “not let the citizens of Lycoming County down.”

The ceremony highlighted the historical significance of the sheriff office, which dates back 200 years.

Emphasis was placed on responsibilities and integrity expected of the sheriff and the entire staff.

KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Newly sworn in Lycoming County Sheriff Eric Spiegel, left, gives a kiss to wife Regina Spiegel after he was sworn in on Monday morning.

Judges and colleagues praised Lusk for his dedicated service and expressed confidence in Spiegel and Mahosky’s leadership – noting how Lusk, and Brewer, along with the legacy of Sheriff Eugene Pauling – laid a foundation for the sheriff and his staff to meet and exceed.

“It’s heartwarming to see so many friends and family and colleagues here today. Thank you all,” said the Honorable Eric R. Linhardt, President Judge, introducing the guests to the swearing-in ceremony.

Linhardt’s words illuminated the moment at hand.

“While this is a joyous morning for that reason, it’s also a morning with melancholy as we say goodbye and thank you to our 55th sheriff, Mark Lusk,” the jurist said.

Spiegel is the county’s fourth sheriff in the last 60 years beginning in 1964 with Pauling, who served the county for more than 20 years. Pauling was followed by Brewer, who assumed the position in 1986 and retired in 2010, after serving more than 30 years in the department. Lusk, who served as sheriff for 16 years, also had been protecting the citizens of the county for 50 years in numerous public safety roles.

KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Newly sworn in Lycoming County Sheriff Eric Spiegel, left, gets his badge pinned by outgoing Sheriff Mark Lusk,, right, on Monday morning at the county courthouse.

“Eric I share with you this history because I want you to understand your place in it,” Linhardt said. “Like those before you, you assume this role, understanding your great responsibility to ensure the safety of every person who works in this building, for the courts and for the county and every member of the public who comes here. It is a responsibility I know you do not take lightly,” Linhardt said.

Linhardt added that he had no doubt in Spiegel’s commitment.

“Indeed, I have complete faith in the ability to do so well,” he said.

“I know that you will carry out your duties with integrity and honor, that you assume the responsibilities of this office, mindful that your service and contributions to the community will be carried out in a way that makes the sheriffs who came before you proud and those sheriffs that will come after you know the great and honorable legacy of the Lycoming County Sheriff’s Office continued under your watch, Eric, would you please come forward?”

With that request, the oath of office was given as Spiegel’s wife, Regina, held a bible.

KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Newly sworn in Lycoming County Sheriff Eric Spiegel, left, gets a hug from outgoing Sheriff Mark Lusk,, right, on Monday morning at the county courthouse.

Now officially retired, Lusk pinned the sheriff badge on Spiegle’s shirt.

“This badge represents the integrity and trust that the residents of this county have and the faith that they have in you,” Lusk said. “Wear it with distinction and honor and always be proud.”

Spiegel offered a statement that took those in the room back a few years.

“I still think Ruth had this planned out a long, long time ago when we met at Penn College, when I was an officer there,” he said, directing his attention to Ruth Brewer, Brewer’s wife.

“I came to the sheriff’s office . . . Charlie Brewer,” Spiegel said, choking up a bit with emotion “He swore me in April 20, 2009,” he said. “Never did I think I would become the sheriff of the county, but here we are.”

KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Lycoming County President Judge Eric Linhardt, left, swears in Keely Mahosky, center, as tthe cheif deputy sheriff of Lycoming County on Monday morning. John Whipple, father of Keely and retired state trooper stands to the right.

“It’s bittersweet, bittersweet,” Spiegel said. “I’m excited for Keely and I to move forward. Move the office forward. Build off the foundation that (Charlie and Mark) had built for so many years.”

Spiegel was respectful of that legacy.

“I’m fully aware that we have our pretty big shoes to fill, but we’re up to the task, and we won’t let the citizens of Lycoming County down,” he said.

Mahosky took the oath of office with her father, John Whipple, a retired state trooper, expressing how very proud he was of his daughter as he pinned her badge to her shirt.

“It’s overwhelming,” she said, adding, “I am not used to these kind of things, but saying she did want to take a second to thank “Sheriff Lusk.”

KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Newly sworn in Lycoming County Sheriff Eric Spiegel address the audience on Monday morning at the county courthouse.

“If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here today,” she said.

She also thanked the new sheriff for giving her the opportunity to be chief deputy. “I promise that I will not let you down,” she said, also giving a shout out to her family.

The remaining county judges were offered the opportunity to say a few words.

Judge William Carlucci noted he had the privilege of working with four Lycoming County sheriffs.

“You know, I’m the oldest on the bench in Lycoming County,” he said. “I have not worked with every Lycoming County sheriff – I’ve only worked with the last four.”

He gave credit to the department for its protection of the judges, protecting the parties from each other, which is a “pretty tall order,” he said. “They have the job of protecting the lawyers from their clients, which is a pretty tall order, frankly, but in my view, their most significant job, toughest job, is maintaining the dignity of the place where we do our job.”

“That is the dignity of the courts,” Carlucci said. “Now, generally, I try not to make their job any harder, although I think once in a while I probably do, but the sheriffs and the deputies in Lycoming County, in my view, do a spectacular job of maintaining the dignity of the place where we work.”

As a result, when individuals walk into the courtroom, they understand “this is a serious place,” Carlucci said, adding that, “although we do not always take ourselves very seriously, we take our job very seriously.”

The job of keeping the courts a place of dignity, is a tall order, he noted.

“And they do it brilliantly,” he said, adding, “And I am very, very grateful for that.”

Carlucci offered an example of his sense of humor.

“I should also mention that in terms of protecting the judges, keep in mind that three out of the four of us went to Temple Law School, so we know a little about street fighting,” he said.

“Maintaining this as a place of dignity is critical, and I’m very grateful for the job you do,” he said.

Judge Ryan Gardner also offered his congratulations to Spiegel and Mahosky.

In a former life, Gardner, who served as district attorney, had an opportunity to work closely with Spiegel. He noted his leadership. “I think more importantly, from an operational standpoint, how you conducted yourself and how detail oriented you were at that time, I always knew to probably succeed Sheriff Lusk,” Gardner said. “I think it was the most appropriate pick for sure.”

To Mahosky, Gardner referenced his ability to handle the challenges in a specific courtroom.

“I’ve always been impressed with how you conduct yourself,” he said.

“I can tell you that the courts will continue to be in safe hands with the both of you in your leadership roles, that law enforcement, your commitment to law enforcement, will likely remain the same,” Gardner said. “Behind your leadership, you’ve always played a very influential role in the law enforcement community and an important one, and your office will continue to remain strong,” Gardner said.

Judge Ryan M. Tira offered his appreciation to the retiring sheriff.

“From my relatively short period of time on the bench, your office has served the courts in our county, without exception, with an exceptionally high level of professionalism,” Tira said, adding how he truly appreciated how Lusk “left it for Spiegel.”

“The first day I met you, I realized how serious this work is to you and how personal it was to you, so it’s no doubt that you’re the right person for this job, and I can only expect that it’s only going to stay where it’s at or go up,” Tira said.

He acknowledged Spiegel would have a hard task following him, but he had confidence that is what will happen.

“You picked the right person to be your right hand person, and so congratulations also to you,” Tira said. “I think this is going to be a great team. I know you have a great team over there to work with you.”

Linhardt reiterated how it was not only a day of celebration welcoming a new sheriff and his chief deputy sheriff but also a day of sentimentality, reminiscence and sadness as all gathered and those who could not be there said goodbye to Lusk.

“Lusk has blessed our community with 50 years of service to Lycoming County as a patrolman, a corporal, a criminal investigator, a chief of police, a deputy coroner, fireman, an arson investigator, an EMT, and for the last 16 years our sheriff,” Linhardt said. “This is difficult for me, because I’m not only saying goodbye to our sheriff but to a friend and a partner with whom I have had the privilege of working for the last 18 years as district attorney and judge on behalf of the courts the county, the men and women of law enforcement and the citizens of Lycoming County.

“Thank you for your time,” Linhardt offered in final remarks. “Thank you for your endless hours of public service and great sacrifice to you and your family.

“Thank you for the legacy that you have left us. We are all better off in infinite ways and in many ways the public will never know because of you and the commitment and promise that you have made to us.” Linhardt said.

“You will be missed. I miss you already.”

The morning concluded with a ceremonial send-off for Lusk, who walked out of the courthouse and received salutes from his department staff, and then raised his right arm to salute members of the sheriff’s department, court officials and those outside of the building.

KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Newly sworn in Lycoming County Cheif Deputy Sheriff Keely Mahosky, left, has her badge pinned by father and retired state trooper John Whipple, Monday morning at the county courthouse.

KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Newly sworn in Lycoming County Cheif Deputy Sheriff Keely Mahosky, address the audience Monday morning at the county courthouse shortly after being sworn in.