By Shereen Siewert

WAUSAU — A Marathon County detective has been named Wisconsin’s forensic analyst of the year, according to Sheriff Scott Parks.

Dan McGhee, who has been employed by the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department since August 1997, was awarded the honor May 7 by the Wisconsin Department of Justice during the Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children Conference. McGhee was promoted to detective in May 2001 and is heavily involved with forensic technology, using specialized skills to recover evidence and information critical to solving criminal cases.

In addition to solving local crimes, the department frequently provides forensic technology assistance to other law enforcement agencies. McGhee has often assisted other agencies in retrieving vital digital information to solve crimes, according to Parks. McGhee was nominated for the award by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff Parks, in a Facebook post, congratulated McGhee and said the award is well deserved.

“We are fortunate to have your skills in our sheriff’s office and the ability to have an active forensic technology lab,” Parks wrote.