(a) The District Attorney of Calhoun County may appoint an investigator to conduct investigations of alleged violations of law in the circuit. Such investigator shall be entitled to a salary on the same scale as deputy sheriffs of that county receive. The salary shall be paid from the General Fund of Calhoun County as other county employees are paid, and the necessary expenses incurred in investigation. He or she shall be furnished an automobile by the county for which he or she is employed and such county shall pay the expenses thereof.
(b) The investigator shall have the same authority and powers vested in deputy sheriffs and all other law enforcement officers of the State of Alabama. He or she shall be responsible to the district attorney and shall perform all duties assigned him or her by such official.