LANCASTER COUNTY - A deputy who has been a member of the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office for 49 years will be retiring this week.

Sheriff Terry Wagner announced the retirement of Deputy Sheriff William Woodruff today.

Sheriff Woody, as he is known by many, began his career with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office in 1972 as a dispatcher and became a Deputy Sheriff in 1975.

He is currently the most senior employee at the Sheriff’s Office.

During his 47 years with the Sheriff’s Office, Woody has served as a radio dispatcher, patrol deputy, criminal investigator and for the past 20 years as a Civil Process deputy.

Deputy Woodruff has received over 60 commendations from various law enforcement, governmental agencies and from citizens for his service.