County hires detective

February 22, 2011

William Guy Felmlee (right) was appointed to the newly-created position of county detective Tuesday by the Jefferson County Salary Board. Felmlee will serve with District Attorney Jeffrey Burkett (left), and will have police powers throughout the county. (Photo by Matthew Steffy/The Punxsutawney Spirit)

BROOKVILLE — The Jefferson County Salary Board Tuesday approved the creation of the position of county detective.

On the suggestion of District Attorney Jeffrey Burkett, William Guy Felmlee was appointed to that position. Felmlee was a member of the Pennsylvania State Police for more than 25 years, and he spent many of those years in criminal investigation, Burkett said.

"This man is an outstanding criminal investigator," Burkett said. "He is top, top, top, top notch, and I'm very excited to have him."

Burkett said Felmlee will have police powers throughout the county, meaning that he is capable of arresting and filing charges. He will also work with the county drug task force and assist in child investigations.
"All kinds of investigations start when a child makes a statement," Burkett said. "The county detective will be able to provide the law enforcement perspective. We have to schedule the investigations quickly, and the local law enforcement cannot always get there."

Burkett said Felmlee will "make the whole process more efficient."
Felmlee will be employed on a part-time basis, and will be paid $24,000 per year. The cost of the position will be paid out of the District Attorney Office's seizure and forfeiture account and with money supplied by the Jefferson County Drug Task Force.

The position is only authorized so long as funding exists in the District Attorney Office's accounts.

"We have a large enough seizure account that, right now, we are in position to make this hire," Burkett said. "No matter how long this funding exists, this will be a huge benefit to the county."
No taxpayer money will be used for the position.

The motion made the hiring effective from Tuesday, and Felmlee said he expects to work three days a week or more.