MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. — Sheriff John Mehr hired his wife to work for the Madison County Sheriff’s Department because, he says, of her “relevant expertise and experience”.

According to Mehr, Michelle Mehr was hired to work part-time with the department’s evidence division. The Sheriff said he had to have someone who had the knowledge and expertise to come in and assist in destroying old evidence and helping transition to a new digital system of logging evidence.

Madison County Sheriff John Mehr confirmed that he has hired his wife, Michelle, to work part-time at the Sheriff’s Office.

Mehr said she works no more than 29 and a half hours a week and is paid $20.00 hourly.

Mehr said he doesn’t believe his wife working at the Sheriff’s Office is a conflict of interest. According to Mehr, because the position is part-time it was not required to be posted or advertised.

Mehr said The decision to hire his wife was done based on her relevant experience and training, “she is a certified police officer and has worked high-ranks at police departments and has worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation”. Mehr added “She’s actually over-qualified,”.

Michelle Mehr reports to Lt. Marc Byrum who is the head of Metro Narcotics.