Coroner Seeks Care For His Office To Use

Before Larry Ladd's term ends as Kosciusko County coroner, he's trying to get the county to provide what he deems important for the coroner's office.

A vehicle for the transportation of bodies, body parts and bodily fluids.

Tuesday, he made his request before the Kosciusko County Commissioners. No decision was made.

Ladd told them for the past three or four years, he asked the county council for money in his budget for a vehicle. He said he believed it was the council's responsibility to approve the vehicle purchase, but they put the responsibility on the commissioners by telling Ladd to get the commissioners' approval on the vehicle and put the vehicle in their budget.

A vehicle for the office is now more important than ever, he said. The role of the coroner has changed over the past 15-20 years with the advent of Hazmat, emergency management and diseases such as hepatitis and HIV/AIDs.

"It's not so easy as it was," Ladd said.

If a body has to be autopsied, the coroner has to take it in their own vehicle to Fort Wayne. The local funeral homes are cooperative in helping with the removal of bodies, but in such cases as homicides, Ladd said, they don't want to risk jeopardizing the "legal aspect of that." Also, if the funeral home is tied up, it may be some time before they can respond.

"I think there is no reason the coroner's office shouldn't be provided a vehicle, given our responsibilities," said Ladd.

He asked the commissioners if they would want their children or grandchildren to ride in a vehicle that previously transported bodies or parts. He also questioned whose responsibility it would be if a rider in the coroner's vehicle became infected from something the coroner transported.

Ron Truex, middle district county commissioner, asked Ladd what kind of vehicle he wants.

Ladd responded he had a 1994 Ford Explorer that works quite well for the task. The most logical type of vehicle is a sport utility vehicle.

In other business, the commissioners:

• Opened the bids for the Bridge 289 replacement project. The bridge is on the east side of Lake Wawasee to Cedar Point Island. The bids included: Kel-Con, $241,275.95; and R.L. McCoy Inc., $293,545.45. Kosciusko County Highway Superintendent and Engineer Rob Ladson said the engineer's estimate was $217,716.25. Ladson will review both bids and make a recommendation to the county commissioners at their next meeting.

• Appointed Kathy Miller to the North Webster/Tippecanoe Township newly created library board for one year.

• Were presented with a copy of the state's inspection of the county jail by Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine. "I think we did very well," he said.

Kosciusko County Commissioners are Brad Jackson, northern district; Ron Truex, middle district; and Avis Gunter, southern district. They meet at 9 a.m. in the county courthouse, Warsaw, every other Tuesday.