DETECTIVE TO BECOME PROSECUTOR INVESTIGATOR

A former Cape Girardeau police detective will assume the duties of the investigator for the prosecuting attorney's office as the current investigator leaves the position at the end of the day.

John Volkerding, a 25-year veteran with the Cape Girardeau Police Department, will become the new investigator when Karen Sullinger Buchheit steps down after 10 years in the prosecutor's office.

"When Karen told me that she was leaving, I told her to help me find a replacement. John Volkerding was my first choice," said Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle.

Volkerding served with the Cape Girardeau police for 25 and a half years as an officer and two years before that as a reserve officer for the department. His last day with the department was May 14. Then, on May 18, he began working alongside Buchheit at the prosecutor's office learning his new job.

"I feel I've come full circle," Volkerding said of his new position, explaining that the first 15 years he worked as a patrol officer doing the initial investigation of crimes.

For the last 10 years he has worked as a detective in the department, obtaining the rank of sergeant. In that position he would follow up on the initial investigation and send the more detailed reports to the prosecutors.

As the investigator for the prosecutor's office, Volkerding will be responsible for the final investigations that are necessary to get cases ready for trial.

He will also assist police departments with the investigations of complicated and more serious cases such as homicides and rapes, as well as serve as an investigator with the Major Case Squad.

In addition, the investigator assists the prosecutor during a trial by following up any new leads and by making sure that witnesses get to court.

"No matter how far away court might be and no matter how vigorously they are trying to avoid subpoena," Swingle said.

Swingle said: "We are extremely fortunate to obtain John Volkerding. He is an experienced and conscientious professional who knows the right way to conduct an investigation and who can work well with officers and other agencies."

Buchheit is leaving the investigator's office after 10 years. Before that she had served in the Cape Girardeau Police Department for 10 years, five years as a detective.

Buchheit said that her decision to leave the prosecutor's office was based on her desire to spend more time with her husband and two boys, ages 8 and 2.