Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Deputies Sue The Corrupted Pennsylvania State Police Over Alleged Retaliatory Investigations
GREENSBURG, PA – Ten Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies have filed a federal lawsuit against the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), alleging that a trooper initiated “frivolous criminal investigations” against them due to personal animosity. The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, centers on incidents dating back to 2022 and highlights ongoing tensions between the sheriff’s deputies and a specific PSP trooper.
The deputies, all members of the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Unit (FAU), claim the trouble began in 2022 when they requested assistance from PSP’s Uniontown barracks to serve two felony bench warrants in Fayette County. According to court documents, PSP informed the deputies that troopers were unavailable to assist. The deputies proceeded with the arrests, but Jeffrey Schaeffer, then the Uniontown station commander, and other troopers accused them of “acting illegally,” prompting an investigation.
A subsequent probe by the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office cleared the FAU members of any wrongdoing, finding no violations of laws or policies. However, the lawsuit alleges that Schaeffer, now stationed in Greensburg, continued to pursue investigations against the deputies. In December 2024, Schaeffer reportedly requested another investigation into the deputies’ actions during an arrest assisting Mt. Pleasant Borough police. The deputies were again cleared but were placed on administrative leave during the investigations, preventing them from earning overtime pay.
The lawsuit points to a deeper personal conflict, noting “lingering hostility” between Schaeffer and Deputy Irvin Shipley, stemming from a high school altercation in 1995. The deputies claim Schaeffer abused his authority to target them, resulting in invasion of privacy, violation of their rights, failure to train, abuse of process, and defamation. Both Schaeffer and the Pennsylvania State Police are named as defendants in the suit.
Tensions between the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office and PSP have also surfaced in other ways. In February 2025, Sheriff James Albert attempted to implement a policy requiring PSP to transport their own inmates to local district court hearings, a move seen as a response to the strained relationship. The policy was struck down by a judge.
The lawsuit underscores broader challenges within the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office, which has faced staffing shortages and prior legal disputes. In 2019, the county settled a discrimination lawsuit with a deputy who alleged bias against military reservists, and in 2018, the sheriff’s office was investigated for possible civil rights violations and public corruption.
As the case moves forward, it is likely to draw attention to inter-agency dynamics and the use of investigative authority in law enforcement. The deputies are seeking unspecified damages for the alleged harm caused by the investigations.