A look back: March 5, 1987

Gov. Robert P. Casey’s choice to head the state police moved a step closer to confirmation Wednesday when the Senate’s Law and Justice Committee recommended the confirmation of John K. Schafer, formerly of Weatherly, from acting commissioner to the top position.

Schafer, 45, of Breinigsville, had a previous hearing continued because of cancer treatments after he was admitted to the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia for tests and treatments last month.

Schafer told the committee of senators he would support moving enforcement of liquor laws from the Liquor Control Board to the state police as part of legislative reform of the LCB. None of the committee members opposed the confirmation recommendation.