ST. MARYS — Todd Caltagarone has declared his candidacy for the office of Elk County sheriff.

A Republican, Caltagarone has 28 years of experience in law enforcement. More than 25 of those years have been in Elk County with more than 10 years in executive police management. 

Caltagarone said he is an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he was assigned to the Strategic Air Command, 8th Air Force, 42nd Bombardment Wing at Loring Air Force Base. There, he served in logistics and inventory management where he managed several high value accounts consisting of base and war assets. He was subsequently selected for a special duty assignment with the Alert Management Division. He served at the Alert facility as part of the management team in support of the Alert Force that was on continuous 24-hour ground alert. Part of his duties entailed budget formulation and acquisition of assets.

Caltagarone has completed research and several graduate level studies in leadership and criminal justice/public administration through Liberty University towards the completion of a master’s degree in the near future.

He holds a graduate certificate from the University of Virginia in criminal justice, a bachelor of science degree in organizational leadership from Mountain State University, where he graduated summa cum laude, and an associate of arts degree in liberal studies from the University of Maine at Presque Isle. He is a graduate from the FBI National Academy and the FBI Great Lakes Leadership seminar, and has completed a police executive development program from Penn State University.

Caltagarone said he has attended numerous seminars on police management and leadership. His years of experience include several aspects of law enforcement to include prior service as a Municipal Police Academy Act 120 instructor, presenting community and youth programs, and major case investigations. He is a certified DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) officer and has instructed thousands of St. Marys Area School students since 1995.

Caltagarone has held positions on several governing and advisory boards in Elk County that include the St. Marys Area Ambulance Service, where he served as chairman for many years; the Crystal Fire Department; Elk County Drug and Alcohol Board and the Criminal Justice Advisory Board. He holds memberships with the FBI National Academy Associates, the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Association of Chiefs of Police, Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, Fraternal Order of Police Bucktail Lodge #96, where he has served as the secretary and guard, Crystal Fire Department, National D.A.R.E. Officers Association and the Pennsylvania D.A.R.E. Officers Association. He is also a member of the National Rifle Association and supporter and defender of the Second Amendment. 

Caltagarone said if he is elected, he will continue to defend the right of individuals to bear arms, and will give the citizens of Elk County a sheriff’s department they deserve and can be proud of.

Caltagarone and his wife, Sandy, have three daughters, Breanna, Chelsie and Katie.