2021-07-06 Update with CoronerUpdate with Coroner
July 6, 2021
11:32 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Erik
Martin, Daleyn Coleman, Chris Panush, Dawn Harris, Jason Baker, Stephen Wilson, Sandy Peck, Chelsie
Wilson, Tyberius Tretheway, Warren McLeod, Katie Conradi, Becky Butler
Guest(s): Emily Fitzgerald, Nic Scott, Malynda Wilson
Recorder: Tammy Martin
Coroner Warren McLeod provided the following year-to-date statistics:
• Overall – 452 total deaths year-to-date, including 0 homicides, 3 suicides, 15 accidental deaths,
3 undetermined deaths and 6 pending investigations.
• Drug related – 7 confirmed drug related deaths. There are 6 pending drug related deaths and 4
of those are meth related.
• Heat related - 0
Warren said there will be a mass fatality incident drill to test the incident plan. The scenario for the mass
fatality incident is a shooting scene. This drill will not include emergency medical services or law
enforcement. There will be volunteers from Civil Air Patrol and DEM, and is required training for state
accreditation.
Warren followed up on his request for a BOCC resolution to increase the hourly rate for non FTE Deputy
Coroners. Warren provided budget impact details requested by Commissioner Pollock.
Warren said his office is carried by casual employees. He feels they should be paid a professional rate for
a professional job. Becky Butler said based on current trends of the various shifts and pay rates, the
increase to the budget can change.
Jason Baker, a part-time casual employee spoke about his typical duties performed. He said every shift
includes speaking to family members about the death. He said any response from the Coroner’s Office
can include 5-8 hours for the investigation processes in a natural death and depending upon the scene
for other cause of deaths can take between 8-15 hours to process. Jason said there are times the side
effects from the job take toll on personnel emotionally. The employees try to be empathetic, caring, and
compassionate. Warren is asking for an increase in the non-FTE Deputy Coroner pay. Commissioner
Pollock would like to have the Coroner’s Office reviewed for needs. She suggested scheduling a meeting
for August to address needs at the Coroner’s Office. Warren said that three additional FTEs would
eliminate the need for casual employees.
Meeting ended at 12:08 p.m.