Name: George W. Deavers
Age: 50
Telephone: (970)749-1771
Email: georgedeav@yahoo.com
Website: n/a
1. List three action items you’d introduce to guarantee the people’s right to know?
The nature of the duty of the Coroner is somewhat different than other elected officials. The HIPAA Regulations that govern personal health information can inhibit the release of certain factors regarding a fatality. If a fatality is the result of an accident or violent crime, no information can be given out until the notification of next of kin has been done. However, as long as the requested information is not restricted by law or regulation, it will be provided.
2. If elected, what would be your top priorities as coroner?
If elected to serve the citizens of Montezuma County as Coroner, my top priority will be supporting the family of the deceased. Every death investigation will be handled with utmost attention, care, dignity and respect regardless of the circumstances surrounding the fatality. Another top priority for me will be to promptly respond to coroner calls and work closely with area agencies to assure thorough investigation of all scenes.
3. List the office’s top three needs, and what steps would you take to address those concerns?
First, I would like to see the Coroner become more involved with local human service agencies such as the Health Department and Hospice. I believe as Coroner it is important to learn about the services these agencies (and many others like them) provide and to educate these agencies about the role of the coroner’s office. I believe this shared information would build a strong support team for families who have experienced the loss of a loved one. I believe another need is to increase awareness about the cultural differences that exist in our community. Cultural and religious beliefs vary greatly as to how death and final dispositions are perceived. Being familiar with these differences will assist in providing compassionate and caring support all grieving families. Lastly, I would like to work toward faster response times. The current response times are good, but I would like to see them improve if possible.
4. What is the difference between a coroner, a medical examiner and a forensic pathologist?
A Coroner is an elected official who investigates all deaths that have not been under physician care in excess of twenty four hours. Coroners determine identity, cause, manner and time of death. They record findings and issue death certificates. Medical Examiners are medically qualified and investigate deaths suspicious in nature (not normal or natural) to determine manner and cause of death. They also perform autopsies. Forensic Pathologists are MD trained in forensic science. They have specialized training in trace evidence, ballistics, toxicology and more. They perform autopsies to examine deaths which are violent or unexpected in nature. Forensic Pathologists are the experts Coroners rely on in criminal cases to testify in court.
5. Would you support an initiative that required coroners to hold accredited medical or scientific credentials? Why or why not?
Yes, I would support an initiative for coroners to hold accredited credentials Many states have mandates in place because “cause of death” investigation is primarily medical in nature. I believe that certain medical credentials for coroners are necessary in smaller cities and rural areas. In larger cities, often there are enough funds to employee both a coroner and a medical examiner. But, because funding is limited in smaller communities, the coroner often performs the duties of both the coroner and the medical examiner. This is the case in Montezuma County. This might not be the perfect system, but it is the only practical one with the funds currently available for the coroner position in our community.
6. List your expertise and/or qualifications that set you apart from other candidates.
I have been a certified EMT for twenty six years. Granted, it is not medical doctor degree, but I have learned a great deal about the medical field through experience during this time. I have had eleven years “on the job” training serving as Chief Deputy Coroner for Montezuma County. During this time I have written hundreds of detailed reports and taken numerous classes in death investigation, crime scene investigation and evidence gathering. During my eleven years as Chief Deputy Coroner, I had the honor of working with a highly credentialed Forensic Pathologist. I spent one hundred plus hours assisting with autopsies. During this time I learned a variety of investigative techniques regarding blood spatter, firearm trajectory, results of blunt force trauma and much more. Because of my past experience as an EMT and Chief Deputy Coroner, I definitely have the most experience and feel I am the most prepared and qualified candidate to take on the duties of Montezuma County Coroner. If elected, I will be able to hit the ground running, fulfilling the duties of the coroner, instead of having to learn what to do and how to do it. Thank you in advance for your support at the June Primary.
