Questions answered by candidates for coroner
October 28, 2020
Gary Swearingen, Republican
1. Why are you running for this position?
I feel it is my Christian duty to help other people; all my life I have tried to put myself in positions where I can help others In any situation needed. When I was offered the opportunity, almost 13 years ago to assist the late Jim Fohn who was coroner I saw another way to be available to help people in need. I was recently appointed by Governor Mike Parson to hold the position of Barry County Coroner and I want to continue serving the Great People of Barry County in this position.
2. What type of experience do you have that qualifies you for the most common responsibilities of coroner?
My experience goes back almost 13 years when the late Jim Fohn offered me the opportunity of working with him in the coroners position where he later appointed me to be the Barry County Deputy Coroner. By working along the side of Jim for these years I feel that I received the most professional training that is offered anywhere. Jim had an over abundance of knowledge in the coroners field and he always shared that knowledge with me to help me become experienced as a deputy coroner and now as the Barry County Coroner. Since state training is not offered to anyone that does not hold the title of coroner I officially have not attended state training but after elected I will attend the state training as it is offered.
3. In the event of discovering a death by violence, what would you do?
In most of these situations when a death is due to violence the law enforcement is on the scene before the coroner arrives, but if the law is not present I instantly make sure they get notified so they can begin their legal investigation and I professionally do my coroners duty by compassionately treating the deceased as if they are my own family until their own family is able to be present to speak for them, no matter what period of time that might be. I go back to my Christian upbringing of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” and I believe this is a God given rule in life or death.
4. What do you believe makes you the most qualified candidate to perform the responsibilities of sheriff, should the need arise?
God forbid this situation should ever arise but I realize that could happen at any given time. I would not say that I am more qualified than my opponent’s are to step into the role as a sheriff but I feel that I am JUST as qualified. This is one of the many topics that Jim Fohn made me aware of and he gave me professional and sound advice in this matter. With the expertise training that our county deputies show I would have an abundance amount of good help if I would be put in this position. I work very close with the sheriffs office now and have the upmost respect for each employee in that office.
5. Given an option, do you believe the position of coroner should be politically affiliated. If not, why?
The position of coroner I feel should be filled as any other public held office and that being, chosen by the people that they represent and work for and that is the voters of that particular entity. America was built on a free democracy and allows each of us to help in choosing the leadership of our county and country no matter what that position is. When these public held positions are no longer held by the people’s choice, then our freedom will no longer be.
6. Do you believe there is a potential conflict of interest for a coroner to be affiliated with a funeral home. If not why? If yes how will you resolve that potential conflict?
I see no conflict with this if the coroner is doing his or her professional duty, that being transporting the deceased to the funeral home of the deceased families choice. If no family is present to make this decision at the current time needed than it is lawful to take the deceased person to the coroners office until the family is notified. After making contact with the family I do as I was taught and oblige with compassion and kindness of seeing that the deceased is transported to the funeral home of the families choice. So once again I say If a coroner is affiliated with a funeral home and fulfills his duty and obligation there would be no conflict.
I feel it is my Christian duty to help other people; all my life I have tried to put myself in positions where I can help others In any situation needed. When I was offered the opportunity, almost 13 years ago to assist the late Jim Fohn who was coroner I saw another way to be available to help people in need. I was recently appointed by Governor Mike Parson to hold the position of Barry County Coroner and I want to continue serving the Great People of Barry County in this position.
2. What type of experience do you have that qualifies you for the most common responsibilities of coroner?
My experience goes back almost 13 years when the late Jim Fohn offered me the opportunity of working with him in the coroners position where he later appointed me to be the Barry County Deputy Coroner. By working along the side of Jim for these years I feel that I received the most professional training that is offered anywhere. Jim had an over abundance of knowledge in the coroners field and he always shared that knowledge with me to help me become experienced as a deputy coroner and now as the Barry County Coroner. Since state training is not offered to anyone that does not hold the title of coroner I officially have not attended state training but after elected I will attend the state training as it is offered.
3. In the event of discovering a death by violence, what would you do?
In most of these situations when a death is due to violence the law enforcement is on the scene before the coroner arrives, but if the law is not present I instantly make sure they get notified so they can begin their legal investigation and I professionally do my coroners duty by compassionately treating the deceased as if they are my own family until their own family is able to be present to speak for them, no matter what period of time that might be. I go back to my Christian upbringing of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” and I believe this is a God given rule in life or death.
4. What do you believe makes you the most qualified candidate to perform the responsibilities of sheriff, should the need arise?
God forbid this situation should ever arise but I realize that could happen at any given time. I would not say that I am more qualified than my opponent’s are to step into the role as a sheriff but I feel that I am JUST as qualified. This is one of the many topics that Jim Fohn made me aware of and he gave me professional and sound advice in this matter. With the expertise training that our county deputies show I would have an abundance amount of good help if I would be put in this position. I work very close with the sheriffs office now and have the upmost respect for each employee in that office.
5. Given an option, do you believe the position of coroner should be politically affiliated. If not, why?
The position of coroner I feel should be filled as any other public held office and that being, chosen by the people that they represent and work for and that is the voters of that particular entity. America was built on a free democracy and allows each of us to help in choosing the leadership of our county and country no matter what that position is. When these public held positions are no longer held by the people’s choice, then our freedom will no longer be.
6. Do you believe there is a potential conflict of interest for a coroner to be affiliated with a funeral home. If not why? If yes how will you resolve that potential conflict?
I see no conflict with this if the coroner is doing his or her professional duty, that being transporting the deceased to the funeral home of the deceased families choice. If no family is present to make this decision at the current time needed than it is lawful to take the deceased person to the coroners office until the family is notified. After making contact with the family I do as I was taught and oblige with compassion and kindness of seeing that the deceased is transported to the funeral home of the families choice. So once again I say If a coroner is affiliated with a funeral home and fulfills his duty and obligation there would be no conflict.
Rusty Dilbeck, Democrat
1. Why are you running for this position?
I believe I can make a change. I want to restore the office of Coroner I am a very caring and compassionate person. Death is something every family in the community has experienced or will experience and being the person I am I want to come and assist you in that time, I want to be the person someone can find comfort within in such a devastating time.
2. What type of experience do you have that qualifies you for the most common responsibilities of coroner?
I believe I have more than enough experience. I have worked underneath both the late Jim Fohn and my competitor Skip White. Both men have taught me so much. They have instilled the values of kindness and compassion and how valuable your actions can be. I have work with budgets.
3. In the event of discovering a death by violence, what would you do?
I would immediately call for an investigation. In a calm and meaningful manner, I would handle the situation to the best of my abilities. I would start by showing care and compassion for the families involved of the loved one,5I would work hand and hand with the local law enforcement agencies since it was death by violence to assist in any way possible to help with any investigation.
4. What do you believe makes you the most qualified candidate to perform the responsibilities of sheriff, should the need arise?
I believe I am the qualified for the coroner position because I am knowledgeable Knowing what to do and how to react is especially important. If the need for sheriff should have to happen I would handle to duties as given to me at time of the situation, I have a lot of experience working with the local agencies, I have been a Firefighter and currently serving as Assistant Chief for Butterfield Fire Protection District, and I am currently an Emergency Telecommunicator for Barry County E911, I can handle the stressful situations.
5. Given an option, do you believe the position of coroner should be politically affiliated? If not, why?
Yes, I do. The people of the community should have a say in who will be arriving at their time in need.
6. Do you believe there is a potential conflict of interest for a coroner to be affiliated with a funeral home? If not, why? If yes, how will you resolve that potential conflict?
Yes, I do. I believe it creates a biased opinion on what you will persuade the family to do. I believe that if a family does not have a plan in action, and you as a coroner work for either funeral home you will persuade the family to take the body for the business you work for. This causes a conflict of interest and a disadvantage to competing funeral homes in Barry County. I am not affiliated with a funeral home I have and will continue to help them in the time of need if asked, I want to be a person that gives you a choice and work for you as a citizen of Barry County!
I believe I can make a change. I want to restore the office of Coroner I am a very caring and compassionate person. Death is something every family in the community has experienced or will experience and being the person I am I want to come and assist you in that time, I want to be the person someone can find comfort within in such a devastating time.
2. What type of experience do you have that qualifies you for the most common responsibilities of coroner?
I believe I have more than enough experience. I have worked underneath both the late Jim Fohn and my competitor Skip White. Both men have taught me so much. They have instilled the values of kindness and compassion and how valuable your actions can be. I have work with budgets.
3. In the event of discovering a death by violence, what would you do?
I would immediately call for an investigation. In a calm and meaningful manner, I would handle the situation to the best of my abilities. I would start by showing care and compassion for the families involved of the loved one,5I would work hand and hand with the local law enforcement agencies since it was death by violence to assist in any way possible to help with any investigation.
4. What do you believe makes you the most qualified candidate to perform the responsibilities of sheriff, should the need arise?
I believe I am the qualified for the coroner position because I am knowledgeable Knowing what to do and how to react is especially important. If the need for sheriff should have to happen I would handle to duties as given to me at time of the situation, I have a lot of experience working with the local agencies, I have been a Firefighter and currently serving as Assistant Chief for Butterfield Fire Protection District, and I am currently an Emergency Telecommunicator for Barry County E911, I can handle the stressful situations.
5. Given an option, do you believe the position of coroner should be politically affiliated? If not, why?
Yes, I do. The people of the community should have a say in who will be arriving at their time in need.
6. Do you believe there is a potential conflict of interest for a coroner to be affiliated with a funeral home? If not, why? If yes, how will you resolve that potential conflict?
Yes, I do. I believe it creates a biased opinion on what you will persuade the family to do. I believe that if a family does not have a plan in action, and you as a coroner work for either funeral home you will persuade the family to take the body for the business you work for. This causes a conflict of interest and a disadvantage to competing funeral homes in Barry County. I am not affiliated with a funeral home I have and will continue to help them in the time of need if asked, I want to be a person that gives you a choice and work for you as a citizen of Barry County!
Skip White, Independent
1. Why are you running for this position?
Barry County deserves the most professional and educated person for this position. I feel I fulfill those needs and have the most education of the campaign candidates.
2. What type of experience do you have that qualifies you for the most common responsibilities of coroner?
I am a licensed funeral director in the four-state area; a high school graduate; a graduate of the St. Louis University School of Death Investigation; a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, Illinois; a graduate of Missouri Southern State University Policy Academy; and I have attended annual continuing education classes for Coroner and Medical Examiners.
3. In the event of discovering a death by violence, what would you do?
The first thing to be done is to clear the scene of all persons with the exception of members of law enforcement. The most important thing to remember is that law enforcement is present at death scenes for the purpose of representing the law. Crime scene investigations are the duty of the County Coroner with the help of law enforcement members; the Coroner represents the body. The County Coroner takes direction from no one; he/she is in charge of all crime scene investigations, and the County Coroner makes the decision as to the need of an autopsy, following consultation with family members and law enforcement. When I was Coroner, I worked very hard to make families comfortable in their funeral home choice decision.
4. What do you believe makes you the most qualified candidate to perform the responsibilities of sheriff, should the need arise?
As stated above, I am a graduate of Missouri Southern State University Police Academy, and I was post certified in the State of Missouri for many years. Through my life I have witnessed every type of death from commercial airline crashes to sudden heart attacks. During my many years I have worked closely with coroners, medical examiners, area prosecutors, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
5. Given an option, do you believe the position of coroner should be politically affiliated? If not, why?
Absolutely not! When the decedent’s family needs representation, the Coroner should not be interested in whether he/she is a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or a member of the Green Party. My whole philosophy as to the position of Coroner is that it should be non-political and families should be given a choice as to the funeral home in their area to be used. That is why I am a candidate for this office.
6. Do you believe there is a potential conflict of interest for a coroner to be affiliated with a funeral home? If not, why? If yes, how will you resolve that potential conflict?
Yes, I do feel there could be a conflict of interest if the Coroner only uses his/her office to obtain funerals. In the State of Missouri today, most counties use the coroner/funeral home system which keeps the individual county from paying large sums of money for vehicles and extra help. When the Coroner is sent to a death scene, I feel the determination of which funeral home will serve the family of the decedent is a decision the family, and only the family, should make. I feel the First Responders, if available, should ask the family which funeral home they desire, but unfortunately; I do not believe this is not the current policy. In addition, funeral home personnel are necessary for a Coroner for the reason of vehicular availability. An appropriate vehicle will be needed for transportation of the body if no family is present at the scene or cannot be contacted immediately for the funeral home designation for the decedent, or for transportation for an autopsy to be performed if one is authorized. Also, if these situations arise, refrigeration may be needed and transportation of the body will be necessary; we have a large cooler system on our premises.
Barry County deserves the most professional and educated person for this position. I feel I fulfill those needs and have the most education of the campaign candidates.
2. What type of experience do you have that qualifies you for the most common responsibilities of coroner?
I am a licensed funeral director in the four-state area; a high school graduate; a graduate of the St. Louis University School of Death Investigation; a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, Illinois; a graduate of Missouri Southern State University Policy Academy; and I have attended annual continuing education classes for Coroner and Medical Examiners.
3. In the event of discovering a death by violence, what would you do?
The first thing to be done is to clear the scene of all persons with the exception of members of law enforcement. The most important thing to remember is that law enforcement is present at death scenes for the purpose of representing the law. Crime scene investigations are the duty of the County Coroner with the help of law enforcement members; the Coroner represents the body. The County Coroner takes direction from no one; he/she is in charge of all crime scene investigations, and the County Coroner makes the decision as to the need of an autopsy, following consultation with family members and law enforcement. When I was Coroner, I worked very hard to make families comfortable in their funeral home choice decision.
4. What do you believe makes you the most qualified candidate to perform the responsibilities of sheriff, should the need arise?
As stated above, I am a graduate of Missouri Southern State University Police Academy, and I was post certified in the State of Missouri for many years. Through my life I have witnessed every type of death from commercial airline crashes to sudden heart attacks. During my many years I have worked closely with coroners, medical examiners, area prosecutors, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
5. Given an option, do you believe the position of coroner should be politically affiliated? If not, why?
Absolutely not! When the decedent’s family needs representation, the Coroner should not be interested in whether he/she is a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or a member of the Green Party. My whole philosophy as to the position of Coroner is that it should be non-political and families should be given a choice as to the funeral home in their area to be used. That is why I am a candidate for this office.
6. Do you believe there is a potential conflict of interest for a coroner to be affiliated with a funeral home? If not, why? If yes, how will you resolve that potential conflict?
Yes, I do feel there could be a conflict of interest if the Coroner only uses his/her office to obtain funerals. In the State of Missouri today, most counties use the coroner/funeral home system which keeps the individual county from paying large sums of money for vehicles and extra help. When the Coroner is sent to a death scene, I feel the determination of which funeral home will serve the family of the decedent is a decision the family, and only the family, should make. I feel the First Responders, if available, should ask the family which funeral home they desire, but unfortunately; I do not believe this is not the current policy. In addition, funeral home personnel are necessary for a Coroner for the reason of vehicular availability. An appropriate vehicle will be needed for transportation of the body if no family is present at the scene or cannot be contacted immediately for the funeral home designation for the decedent, or for transportation for an autopsy to be performed if one is authorized. Also, if these situations arise, refrigeration may be needed and transportation of the body will be necessary; we have a large cooler system on our premises.
