CLEARFIELD, Pa. - A western Pennsylvania lawman is forming the first Volunteer Clearfield County Sheriff's Posse.

The (DuBois) Courier-Express reports Sheriff Wes Thurston issued the call for volunteers in a press release.

Posse members will help the sheriff and his deputies respond to natural disasters, search for missing children or other endangered people, as well as in gathering information and performing other non-emergency tasks.

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The sheriff is recommending that the volunteers carry a firearm. Asked why, Thurston said, "I think everyone should carry a firearm."

But he also said that it's not required.

The largely rural county is seated in Clearfield, about 110 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.