Lehigh University Police Department Detective Jon Buskirk has been appointed the department’s next assistant chief. He begins serving in the position on November 3, 2025. A committee composed of representatives from the University community carefully reviewed a strong pool of internal and external candidates and unanimously recommended Detective Buskirk for this key leadership role.
After a twenty-year career in the Bethlehem Police Department (BPD), Buskirk joined the Lehigh University Police Department in 2024. Associate Vice President of Campus Safety and Chief of Police Jason Schiffer noted that the depth and range of Buskirk’s experience on Bethlehem’s force made him the ideal candidate.
“Jon's roots in policing were planted as a community officer on a bicycle which provided him with a strong connection to the people of Bethlehem, particularly in south Bethlehem,” noted Schiffer. “His leadership experience as the BPD night shift lieutenant, where he served as the senior officer in charge supervising multiple squads of officers, is a unique qualification that will also transfer well to the assistant chief role at Lehigh.”
Buskirk holds a BA in Sociology and Political Science from Moravian University. He graduated from the Allentown Policy Academy in 2005. He has continued his training and earned certifications in areas including crisis intervention, police supervision, and emergency management.
Buskirk was instrumental in the development and growth of Bethlehem’s Mounted Patrol Unit, where he served for many years as a patrol officer. He led the creation of the non-profit Friends of the Bethlehem Mounted Police as well as their fundraising efforts for the unit’s new stables. He also spent several years as the department’s community services sergeant, overseeing school resource and community patrol officers.
When he retired from BPD in 2024, Buskirk knew that he wanted to take on a new opportunity. “I love the South Bethlehem community. It has always had a special spot in my heart whether I was patrolling by bike, car, on foot, or horseback,” he said. “So it was a very natural move to LUPD from BPD.”
He joined LUPD as a patrol officer, serving on the night shift for a year before receiving an appointment as a detective. “The night shift at Lehigh is a time when the students you’re interacting with might be going through a difficult moment,” he shared. “It can be stressful being away from home, facing your first serious college exams, dealing with the transition from high school.”
Buskirk said he learned from that experience that Lehigh has strong resources for students. He appreciated knowing there were mental health professionals and counselors on call.
Since moving to the day shift, Buskirk has been able to meet more people and build relationships, something he will continue to do in his new role. Using his police bike training and certification, he’s getting out on campus on two wheels – with a little help climbing South Mountain from the department’s electric-assisted bicycles.
Buskirk is mindful of the lessons he learned from leaders he worked with over his career. “I believe as a police officer, you are there to help other people. That doesn't change when you become a leader, it just means that now you are also there to help the people who work for you or with you,” Buskirk said. “We have to get the paperwork done, but then let’s pedal a bike, or park the car and walk around and meet the people we serve. That's very important to me, and it's something I'm looking to encourage.”
Buskirk will be taking over the role from Chris Houtz who is retiring after serving the Lehigh community for more than 24 years. Houtz will remain at Lehigh through the end of the semester to assist in the transition.
“Jon’s mindset strongly aligns with our One-by-One approach to providing service to this community. That was a critical requirement for our new assistant chief,” Schiffer said. “He brings the perspective of servant leadership and there was unanimous agreement that he was the best candidate to spread our mission and vision within the department and ensure we are all pointed in the same direction.”
— Story by Hillary Kwiatek
