New chief detective named in Washington Co.
WASHINGTON, Pa. — Washington County District Attorney Eugene A. Vittone has announced that James McElhaney has assumed the job of chief county detective. McElhaney replaces J. Michael Aaron, who retired earlier this month. He will oversee all detectives operating in the district attorney’s office, including the District Attorney’s Drug Task Force and the Special Victim Investigation and Prosecution Unit. Those detectives assist with major crime, homicide and narcotic investigations.
Vittone said McElhaney was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, where he served as a military policeman. He is a graduate of Mercyhurst College, with a degree in criminal justice. Prior to joining the Washington County district attorney’s office as a detective in July, he served 22 years with the state police, and was honorably discharged in February 2012, at the rank of corporal.
During his service with the state police, McElhaney spent four years of duty with the patrol unit Troop B, Washington; 13 years service with the Criminal Investigations Unit, Troop B, Washington; and five years of service as the Troop B polygraph examiner. Throughout his time with Troop B, Washington, McElhaney conducted many investigations working alongside many municipal police officers, state and federal law enforcement agencies and social service agencies in Washington County.