The board of chosen freeholders of any county, on the recommendation and request in writing of the prosecutor of the county, approved by a judge of the Superior Court may offer a reward not exceeding $5,000 for the detection and apprehension of any person guilty of murder, kidnapping, burglary, robbery, arson or other heinous crime in such county, the reward to be payable after conviction out of such funds of the county as may be applicable thereto. The reward shall be paid to such person or persons as the board of chosen freeholders may, in its discretion, deem entitled thereto.
N.J.S. § 2A:153-2