Joe Pursley, 31, of Forks, is heading off for five-and-a-half months of training at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Basic Law Enforcement Academy in Burien.

Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict announced Tuesday, Jan. 24 that Pursley has been hired as a deputy sheriff by his department. Pursley is leaving his job as youth pastor at Forks Assembly of God to take the position. Benedict said he is slated to be assigned to the Forks area detachment. Clallam County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Brian King oversees the Forks detachment, which is based at the former Forest Service building north of Forks.

Following the police academy training he is scheduled to spend three-and-a-half months in the Sheriff's Department Field Training Program. In that phase of the training he will be assigned to veteran deputies for intensive training that includes daily evaluations.