VOTE411 Voter Guide

The most significant challenges facing our county’s medicolegal death investigation system are rapid population growth, increasing caseloads, and investigator burnout. These factors can affect the quality, consistency, and credibility of our work. As volume and complexity rise, staff face heavier workloads and greater risk of delays or errors. The emotional toll and long hours further increase burnout, leading to turnover and loss of experience. To address this, a multifaceted approach is essential.

First, implement a tiered staffing model so investigators can prioritize complex cases. Second, enhance efficiency through standardized protocols. Third, maintain quality through ongoing training, certification, and peer review. Supporting investigators wellbeing with manageable workloads, scheduling, and mental health resources is essential. Finally, strengthening collaboration with partner agencies will improve coordination, information sharing, and overall effectiveness.

I bring over 15 years of medicolegal death investigation experience, with a strong understanding of case management, workload demands and increasing case volume. I am skilled at prioritizing effectively and making sound decisions under pressure while maintaining high investigative standards.

I hold a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with an emphasis in crime scene investigation, along with ABMDI certification, demonstrating my commitment to best practices, professionalism, and continued education. My background supports accurate evidence collection, documentation, and determination of cause and manner of death.

I have experience collaborating with law enforcement and medical professionals, addressing operational challenges such as staffing and scheduling, and supporting team well-being to prevent burnout. I am also committed to quality improvement and accreditation standards, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and credibility in all investigations.

The Coroner’s Office plays an active role in public awareness and education, particularly in opioid overdose prevention and identifying emerging trends. I serve on the Child Mortality Review Board, where we analyze patterns and collaborate with public health agencies to address community risks.

We partner with high schools and colleges to offer internships, introducing students to medicolegal death investigation and public service careers. We also provide joint training with law enforcement, EMS, and public health to strengthen partnerships and clarify roles.

We remain committed to supporting families with clear, compassionate communication, providing grief resources, and following up when appropriate. Through these efforts, we promote transparency, build trust, and serve our community with professionalism and care.

One of the most important challenges facing Canyon County is burnout and turnover among deputy coroners. Since 2021, there has been ongoing turnover in the roles responsible for responding to scenes and serving families, impacting consistency and quality. Strong leadership and a positive culture are essential to retaining experienced deputies. As our population grows and trends like fentanyl-related deaths increase, we must invest in training, support, and community awareness because better informed communities are safer communities. I will address this by strategically reallocating existing budget resources, prioritizing funding for frontline deputy coroners, and investing in training and continuing education, without increasing the burden on taxpayers. I will also strengthen leadership, accountability, and retention efforts, because families only get one chance to have an investigation done right.

I bring extensive hands-on experience and proven leadership to effectively address these challenges. I previously served as a Sr Deputy Coroner in Canyon County, conducting death investigations and working directly with families and first responders. I am a nationally certified medicolegal death investigator and a member of the Society of Medicolegal Death Investigators, with specialized training in multiple areas. My educational background is in Public Health with a microcredential in leadership. I understand that strong leadership builds strong teams especially in a field where consistency, professionalism, and compassion are critical. In my current role as Technical Director, I oversee operations, budgeting, and staff retention, while ensuring regulatory compliance at a federal level with the FDA. My experience combines forensic investigation, public health, and organizational leadership to strengthen systems, support staff, and better serve families and our community.

I believe this is an area where the office can do better. There is currently limited public awareness and education, and I am committed to changing that. The coroner’s office should be actively engaged in the community and play a role in public health. As a taxpayer-funded office, the community deserves to understand what the coroner does and how we serve them. I will stay engaged by increasing outreach and education on issues such as suicide awareness, overdose prevention, and safe infant sleep, while building partnerships with local organizations and public health agencies. I am committed to creating a well-informed community while protecting the privacy and dignity of decedents and their families. Through thoughtful data reporting, we can share meaningful information without compromising confidentiality. This role serves not just the deceased, but the living as well. Our community deserves a coroner who is present, engaged, and committed to making a difference.