CLARION – On Jan. 4, for the first time in almost 40 years, Rex Munsee will not be carrying a badge. When Sheriff-elect Shawn Zerfoss is sworn in, Munsee will be a civilian.
“I guess I got my love of law enforcement from my great-grandfather. Back in the 1930s, he was a special deputy for Erie County,” Munsee said.
That love of the law continues with Munsee’s children – his daughter is a Clarion attorney and his son followed in his father’s footsteps as a Pennsylvania State Police trooper.
Munsee began his career in law enforcement as a state trooper and rose to the rank of corporal. He served one year at the Punxsutawney barracks, and the balance of his 27-year state police career in Shippenville.
“As a trooper I couldn’t be political, but the day after I retired I announced that I was a candidate for Clarion County sheriff,” he said. It’s a post in which he has served three terms.
“It’s time to go,” he said. “I accomplished all that I wanted to do. It is time for someone else to step in. I am not regretting my decision not to run.”
Munsee said his greatest accomplishment was to “re-invigorate” the employees.
“It seemed the office had shrunk,” he said. “We were only doing court security and prisoner transports. Now we do more public relations things. We do speeches, public programs and we do security at various events. We also support the PSP at some events.
“We aren’t the lead agency, but perform a supporting role. We also serve warrants for the magistrates. I think more people are aware of the department now.”
One of the changes Munsee has seen over the years is the lack of applicants for the position of deputy.
“The pool of potential deputies has shriveled up,” he said. “When I…
