EPHRATA - The Grant County Sheriff's Office is hiring a fourth major crimes detective for the first time in nearly 30 years.

The Grant County commissioners approved a $15,450 budget extension for the sheriff's office. The extension is paying for two months of wages and benefits for a fourth person for its major crimes unit.

The major crimes detectives investigate homicides, suicides, suspicious deaths as well as assaults, armed robberies, sexual assaults, kidnapping and financial crimes, according to employees of the sheriff's office.

Sheriff Tom Jones spoke at the public hearing for the budget extension. He started by thanking the commissioners for allowing the request to reach a hearing.

The office previously requested funding for two new detective positions during the 2012 budget hearings last year, but didn't receive funds to pay for the additional positions, according to county records.

"As you folks know, and I've explained to the commissioners before, we've been running with the same amount of major crimes detectives since 1985," Jones said.

"Obviously with the increase in population of over 40 percent, and the number of major crimes that we are having to investigate in our office, we've stated to the commissioners that these crimes do not get their due justice and proper amount of attention."

Undersheriff Dave Ponozzo stated in the request the delays in investigations creates the possibility for additional crimes, leading to more victims, more investigations and additional prosecution and court time.

Commissioner Carolann Swartz asked if the person would have work to do if there wasn't a major crime to investigate.

"Absolutely," Jones answered. "Our major crimes unit also has a responsibility for (Child Protective Services) referrals and crimes against children. That's almost a full-time job itself."

Jones said previously the sheriff's office plans to budget for the $90,000 to $100,000 position next year.

The office needs to go through a civil service process to hire the detective. Jones plans to have the appointment made by the end of the month and the person starting on Nov. 1.

Commissioner Richard Stevens said the county has enough money in its budget to fund the position through the end of the year. Whether the position remains next year is still undecided.