Mifflinburg Police Chief Jeffrey Hackenburg Resigns; Joins Lexipol, Fetterman Interim

Mifflinburg Borough Council accepted Police Chief Jeffrey Hackenburg’s resignation at a Tuesday night public meeting during the week of Feb. 16–18, and Hackenburg will end his time with the borough on Friday to take a part-time job with Lexipol consulting on a pilot program to pitch new products to first responders. Council appointed Sgt. Tracy Fetterman interim chief; Fetterman is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Friday.

Beverly Hackenberg, borough council president, assessed Hackenburg’s tenure, saying, “Jeff was a very good fit as Mifflinburg’s chief.” Hackenburg, who said he is seeking other employment, told council members it was “a good time to walk away, because the department is in good hands with Tracy.” He added, “I don’t get a vote, but he has my fullest endorsement,” and summarized his attachment to the borough: “I enjoyed my time there.”

Hackenburg’s departure follows a January reappointment that included a 5 percent raise. He was hired as Mifflinburg chief in 2020 to succeed former chief Fred Dryoff after retiring from a 25-year career with the Pennsylvania State Police. His PSP assignments included Milton, Montoursville and Selinsgrove, and he served four years as commander at Selinsgrove. Hackenburg has noted personally that “It was a hard decision to leave after 32 years,” and that family ties run deep, his father, Donald Hackenburg, served as a longtime borough officer and as chief in 1991 before retiring in 1993 after 38 years.

Sgt. Tracy Fetterman, the interim appointee, brings 23 years with the Mifflinburg Borough Police Department and has served the last three years as sergeant. Fetterman also worked as a Union County Sheriff’s deputy for nearly three years before joining the borough department. Council’s action places an experienced internal candidate at the department’s helm on an interim basis starting Friday at 4 p.m.

Public reaction appeared on the Daily Item’s social media thread following the resignation announcement. Lance Miller, identified as Mifflinburg East Ward Councilman in the comments, wrote, “Thank you for your years of service Hack!!! Congratulations!” Shawn Ritter added, “Thank you for your services Jeff Hackenburg !!!!” and Bill Romig posted, “Trace is the man for that position I hope the Boro makes the right choice.”

Municipal records show Hackenburg’s active role in borough business during his tenure; June 16, 2020 borough council minutes list Jeffrey L. Hackenburg, Chief of Police, present and record his recommendation that the department patrol the vicinity of 4th Street for 30 days and complete a traffic study for council review. A Daily Item file photo from November includes Detective Jackson Stroup, interim Chief Tracy Fetterman, borough President Beverly Hackenberg, state Sen. Gene Yaw, Mayor David Cooney, and outgoing Chief Jeffrey Hackenburg (caption spelled “Hackenurg”) posing together.