If you want to be part of the Pennsylvania State Police force, you better like helping people, be willing to take responsibility and be flexible. “You never know where you’ll be working - I could be transferred anywhere in the state - and you can never be sure of your work schedule. You’ve got to be able to function on little sleep,” said Trooper Brad Hershey, a 1991 graduate of Bedford High School. Hershey knew what to expect when he embarked on a career in law enforcement. He grew up watching his father, Sergeant Art Hershey, be called out of family dinners; work weekends and be transferred to new barracks. Despite these drawbacks, Brad Hershey said he loves his job of 9 years, and always planned to follow his father into a law enforcement career. He prepared by attending Penn State University, studying administration of justice, leaving the university in August 1995 when he was accepted by the police academy. Hershey’s first post took him to Fayette County - he was transferred home to Bedford in September 1998.

He likes the variety of his job. In a given day in the patrol section he may investigate burglaries, issue traffic citations, arrest a drug driver, help a crime victim or assist at the scene of a traffic accident. “You certainly can’t get bored - there’s extreme variety in the job,” he said. For most county residents, he and his fellow 20 troopers in Bedford represent the only law enforcement they will ever see, and Hershey said it’s important to be prepared to take responsibility - and to not be afraid to make decisions. “You have to be willing to show up and take charge in a wide variety of situations,” he said.
He recommends his career to young people, and suggests that county students learn more about law enforcement by attending Camp Cadet, a week-long experience for 12-15 year-olds held every summer. “It’s a challenging profession, one with a pretty high stress quotient,” he said. “But it is also a rewarding career. You know you’re helping people every day and know that you’re needed in the community.”

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