York County Sheriff not seeking reelection; Vrbka endorses YSO Captain Gillespie in next year’s election cycle

​YORK – York County Sheriff Paul Vrbka has announced he will not be seeking reelection next year and is endorsing York County Sheriff Captain Josh Gillespie in next year’s election cycle.

​Captain Gillespie said he will be filing his candidacy as soon as the filing season opens for the 2026 election year.
Captain Gillespie started working at the YSO in 2004. He just recently completed 21 years with the law enforcement agency.
He was promoted by Sheriff Vrbka to lieutenant in 2019 and then to captain in 2021.
During his more than two decades with the YSO, Captain Gillespie has also been the DARE instructor in York County. The number of students he’s reached through the program recently went over the 3,500 mark. He says he plans to continue this work for many years.
He also was part of starting a program at York University to help train resident assistants regarding drug recognition, back in 2018. He has also assisted with a safety program at the university as well.
Captain Gillespie reflected on all he’s “learned from Sheriff Vrbka and Sheriff Radcliff, as I’ve worked closely with both. I hope to continue the legacies of each.”
Sheriff Vrbka says Captain Gillespie “will make an excellent sheriff and he will continue to lead this team with dedication and this effort to protect and serve which we are very proud of. We also have a very strong, good relationship with the county commissioners, and he will certainly continue that, which I think is important for the success of our department and for the county.”
Captain Gillespie says he and his wife, Amber, have now lived in York County longer than they’ve ever lived anywhere else – as his job with the York County Sheriff’s Office was his first in law enforcement. They came here, started a family, never left and plan to never leave. “We are proud to be part of the York County community.”
They are the parents of 15-year-old twins, Alanna and Brianna; J.J., 12; and Corianna, 10.
Captain Gillespie is also very active with his church – Faith Evangelical in Henderson – where he serves on boards and works with youth.
“That’s been a driving part of my service in law enforcement,” Captain Gillespie said. “I always want to make sure youth make good decisions.”
Sheriff Vrbka will fulfill his term, which will come to a close at the end of 2026. As he serves his last year as sheriff, before he retires, he said he will be advocating for Gillespie’s election to the sheriff’s position.
“I think he will do a terrific job and the county’s law enforcement agency will be in great hands,” Sheriff Vrbka said.