The Salisbury Township Municipal Building meeting room was filled to standing-room-only Nov. 10 when Salisbury Township Chief of Police Donald Sabo Jr. took the oath of office.

District Judge Michael J. Pochron administered the oath of office to Sabo, with Sabo’s wife, Lisa, standing next to Sabo. Also attending were the Sabos’ children, son, Spencer, and daughter, Addison.

Looking on, in addition to Salisbury officials, family and friends, were members of police departments from Emmaus, Upper Saucon, Upper Macungie and detectives from Lehigh County.

The conclusion of the oath of office was greeted with sustained applause.

Sabo shook hands with Salisbury Township commissioners and other officials sitting at the dais.

The resolution to appoint Sabo as police chief, on a motion made by Commissioner Alok Patnaik and seconded by board of commissioners Vice President Rodney Conn, was approved unanimously 5-0 by commissioners.

“Thank you everyone for coming,” Sabo said to those assembled in the meeting room.

Addressing the township commissioners, Sabo said, “Thank you for having the faith in me for being your fifth chief of police.” The Salisbury Township police department was established in 1958.

Continuing with his vision for the Salisbury police department, Sabo said, “I’d like to foster relationships with the commissioners, township, residents, businesses and all individuals in the township.”

Sabo, who has served on the township police force for 21 years, was promoted from sergeant. Sabo is also the Salisbury Township fire marshal. He will continue as fire marshal through 2023 when his tenure is to conclude. He may need to continue as fire marshal beyond that, depending on when a new fire marshal can be trained.

Sabo said Salisbury Township Police Patrol Officer Kyle Watson is under consideration as a successor to Sabo as township fire marshal.

Sabo succeeds Salisbury Township Police Chief Kevin Soberick, who retired Nov. 1 after 27 years in the department.

The Salisbury Township board of commissioners is scheduled to meet 7 p.m. Nov. 22 instead of Nov. 24 because of the Thanksgiving Day holiday.