Jack Whelan, District Attorney
John J. “Jack” Whelan was elected Delaware County District Attorney in November 2011 and took
office in January 2012, for a four-year term.
District Attorney Whelan has been dedicated to criminal justice and law enforcement from the
time he was in college, majoring in criminal justice at Temple University, to his term on
Delaware County Council where he made public safety a priority.
From 1986-1991, he was a Delaware County Assistant District Attorney, serving as a trial team leader.
He prosecuted homicide cases as well as other felonies and misdemeanors.
Mr. Whelan was a respected practicing attorney for 25 years, leading the firm of Whelan, Doyle
& Pressman LLC in the area of civil litigation, municipal representation and decedent estates.
Before becoming District Attorney, Mr. Whelan served as Chairman of Delaware County Council.
He oversaw the county government operations serving the 550,000 residents of Delaware County.
He was first elected to a four-year term on County Council in 2005, was re-elected to a second
four-year term in 2009. He took the oath of office in January 2010.
As Council Chairman, he partnered with the District Attorney’s Office on many crime-prevention
initiatives, such as the Senior Exploitation Unit, the Safe Schools Summit, and the RSAN and
Delco Alert systems. These systems provide emergency notification to people through their
mobile and electronic devices. He has taken the lead on many public safety initiatives that
focus on homeland security.
In 2010, he helped establish the Delaware County Veterans Justice Initiative with the goal
of establishing a Veterans Treatment Court to address the post-service needs of veterans who
land in the criminal justice system. Mr. Whelan has been honored by several groups for
outstanding leadership and public service, including the Delaware County Library System’s
Outstanding Public Official Award, and the Delaware County Victims’ Rights Week Award,
both presented in the spring of 2009.
In 2010, Chairman Whelan received a Child Advocacy Angel Award from CASA Youth Advocates
of Delaware County, which provides advocates for neglected and abused children.
In recognition of a personal act of bravery in 2009, Mr. Whelan received a Citizenship Award
from the Ridley Township Board of Commissioners, recognition by the
Delaware County Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation, and the Citizens Crime Commission
Award for Bravery.
In 2011, the Delaware County Chiefs of Police Association honored Mr. Whelan with the
George G. Weidner Award, presented for outstanding leadership and support of
law enforcement and criminal justice.
Also in 2011, he was given a Special Recognition Award by the Ridley Township Business
Association. Mr. Whelan also received a Loyalty Day Award from the Herbert W. Best VFW Post in
Ridley Township.
A graduate of Temple University School of Law, he and his wife, Peggy, live in Ridley Township
with their four children.