W. Va. Code § 5-1-14

The Governor may offer a reward for apprehending and securing any person convicted of an offense or charged therewith who shall have escaped from prison, or for apprehending and securing any person charged with an offense who, there is reason to fear, cannot be arrested in the common course of proceeding. And in case a judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals, of a circuit court, of a criminal court or an intermediate court, or of any court of record in this state, shall be assassinated, or his assassination attempted, or a felonious assault be committed upon him and the assassin or person making such assault shall not at once be apprehended and arrested, the Governor shall forthwith offer such a reward, not exceeding $10,000, as in his discretion will result in the arrest of such criminal. But no such reward shall be paid to any sheriff or other officer who may arrest such person by virtue of any process in his hands to be executed. And the Governor may employ any person to aid in the detection, arrest and prosecution of one accused with the assassination or attempted assassination or felonious assault upon a judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals, of a circuit court, of a criminal court, of an intermediate court, or of any other court of record in this state, and agree to pay, and pay, to such person or persons so employed, such sum or sums, not exceeding $10,000, as in the discretion of the Governor may seem to be reasonable. And the Governor may employ any person to aid in the detection of persons charged with or suspected of crime, such persons so employed in either case to be paid out of the contingent fund at the Governor's disposal.