PARSONS – Tucker County has hired a new Court Security Officer who has served in law enforcement for many years.

Terry Fluharty, who most recently served as a Natural Resources Police Officer for the West Virginia DNR, started on Jan. 3 in his new position with the Tucker County Sheriff’s Department.
“I started out in law enforcement in 1977,” Fluharty said. “Back then, you didn’t even have to attend the State Police Academy.”
Fluharty started out in the Harrisville Police Department and became the Chief of Police in Pennsboro in 1979, where he served until 1982. He took a position as a Deputy in the Ritchie County Sheriff’s Department in 1982 and that is when he requested to go to the State Police Academy.
“It was not required because I was grandfathered in, but I requested to go,” Fluharty said. “I went to the Academy, and in 1989, went to work with the West Virginia DNR.”
Fluharty worked for the DNR for 28 years as a Natural Resources Police Officer.
“I started out in the DNR in McDowell County then transferred to Doddridge County,” Fluharty said. “I was there about six years and then Tyler County. After that, I was the DNR Police Officer in Tucker County for three years.”
Tucker County Sheriff Brian Wilfong said Fluharty is now a Special Deputy and his duties include court security and civil process server.
Fluharty said he was retired and said the opportunity of filling this position was very appealing to him.
“I love it here and it would be hard to pass up this opportunity,” Fluharty said. “I am looking forward to being back in Tucker County and working with the people. I missed it because it is the best place I ever worked.”
Wilfong said the Special Deputy is a new position.
“The County Commission wanted someone to serve as a Court Security Officer,” Wilfong said. “They received a grant for a metal detector. Terry is a good worker and is very dependable and will serve well in this position.”
Part of Fluharty’s responsibilities will include checking people who are going into the Tucker County Courthouse hearings. Wilfong said they are setting up the metal detector downstairs by the elevator.
“There are certain items that cannot be taken upstairs in the building including knives, guns and cameras,” Wilfong said.
“If women would prefer not to have their purses checked, they should leave them locked in their cars,” Fluharty said. “Everything has to be checked going upstairs.”
Fluharty is married to the former Inetta Kalar of Montrose.