Biography

1950 -

Randy Vulakovich (R40) Allegheny (Part) and Butler (Part) Counties 2012-2014 (R38) Allegheny (Part) County 2015-2018

Early Life:

Randy Vulakovich, born 1950, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; graduated, North Catholic High School; Duquesne University; Allegheny County Police Academy; sergeant, Shaler Township Police Department, twenty-seven years; public school instructor, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, D.A.R.E. program, six years; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 2006- resigned August 7, 2012; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 2012-2018; appointed, Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, 2022-2026; Bobbie, 1974; two children, Stacy and Randy Jr. 

Early Career:

Sergeant, Shaler Township Police Department, twenty-seven years; member, Fraternal Order of the Police (FOP) #91.

Award: 

Excellence in Legislative Achievement Award- 2012.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 2006 - resigned, August 7, 2012. 

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 40th district, Allegheny (Part) and Butler (Part) Counties, Special Election, resignation, Jane Orie, seated August 7, 2012-2015. 

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 38th district, Pennsylvania State Senate, 2015-2018; committee assignments, Aging and Youth, Appropriations, Communications and Technology, Judiciary, Transportation, Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, (Chairman); member, Majority Policy Committee; left office November 30, 2018. 

Appointed, Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, 2022-2026. Nominated, Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board by Governor Tom Wolf on October 14, 2022, confirmed to a four-year term by the state Senate on October 26, 2022.

Pennsylvania State House of Representatives Biography:

Official Website - PA House Archives Official Website (state.pa.us)

Legacy:

In the Senate August 29, 2012; Administration of The Oath of Office to Senator-elect Randy Vulakovich in accordance with Article VI, Section 3, of the Pennsylvania Constitution, by the Honorable Robert Dzvonick, Magisterial District Justice from Allegheny County. Sj20120829.pdf (state.pa.us)

Known as "Officer V", Shaler Township Police Department.

Authored legislation - the “Kelsey Smith Act” - to require wireless providers to “ping” a potential victim’s cell phone at the request of law enforcement officials to help locate the missing person when there is sufficient information to believe there is a risk or threat of death or serious physical harm. A “ping” is simply a signal to the cell phone to help determine the general cell tower location it is in. 2014 Act 181 (state.pa.us)

 Senate Bill 1290 - Bill Information Details (state.pa.us)  

This bill is named after an 18-year old Kansas woman who was abducted, sexually assaulted and murdered in 2007. The tragedy resulted in a movement by her parents to ensure that law enforcement authorities can receive assistance from cell phone providers to help find the missing person. In Kelsey Smith’s case, surveillance video showed there was reason to believe she been abducted; however, because she did not dial 911, her location was not released by her cell phone provider despite pleas from her family and law enforcement officials. After four days, the technology was used to pinpoint the location of her cell phone and her body was found within 45 minutes. Five states including Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Dakota have passed similar legislation.

Cited: 

The Pennsylvania Manual, (2017-2018). Bogden, S. (Editor). McKain, A. (Editor). (Volume 123) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pages 3-35, 3-40; Biographies of Members of the Senate, page 3-24.