Washington County - Thursday, August 1, 2024: A Salem man was arrested on a warrant for impersonating a public servant following an investigation by the Indiana State Police (ISP).    

The investigation began in mid-July when ISP Detective Travis Baker learned that 62-year-old William J. Salyer, of Salem, allegedly left two voicemails with an Arizona man in which Salyer identified himself as a detective with the Indiana State police. In the voicemails, Salyer allegedly stated that he would contact the Arizona State Police for theft charges if a locket mailed to Arizona was not immediately returned. 

It was learned that a woman residing in Salem had an online relationship with the Arizona man and mailed him a locket containing small portion of her deceased son’s ashes.  The locket was to be buried on a Native American reservation in Arizona. 

When the Arizona man returned the call and spoke with Salyer, he became suspicious Salyer was not a police officer and contacted the Indiana State Police in Sellersburg. 

The investigation included interviews with all parties involved.  At the conclusion of the investigation, all information was provided to the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office for review and possible charges. 

On Wednesday, July 31, 2024, an arrest warrant was issued for two counts of Impersonation of a Public Servant.  Each count is a Level 6 Felony. 

On Thursday morning, Deputy Devin Hopkins with the Washington County Sheriff’s Department arrested William Salyer on the warrant.  William Salyer was transported to the Washington County Jail without incident.

“All subjects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.”