The governing body of any municipality, on the recommendation and request in writing of the municipal police chief or principal law enforcement officer of such municipality, approved by a judge of the Superior Court may offer a reward not exceeding $3,000.00 for the detection and apprehension of any person guilty of murder, kidnapping, burglary, robbery, arson, or other heinous crime in such municipality; the reward is to be payable after conviction out of such funds of the municipality as may be applicable thereto. The reward shall be paid to such person or persons as the municipal governing body may, in its discretion, deem entitled thereto, but no such reward may be paid to any public employee, whose duty it is to investigate or to enforce the law.
N.J.S. § 2A:153-4