Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
John Sadler announced Friday he will seek the Republican nomination for the Kosciusko County coroner in the May primary.
Sadler, the current chief deputy, is a previous two-term coroner and has served 18 years with the office since 1986. Current county coroner Larry Ladd has served two terms and is prohibited by law from seeking a third consecutive term.
"The office of the coroner, while not one of the more visible offices, is responsible for death investigations in Kosciusko County," said Sadler in a press release. "Many times criminal proceedings, civil actions and benefits are affected by our investigations. Our policy is to strive to complete these investigations in the most timely, efficient, professional and compassionate manner as possible.
"The current office consists of state-certified death investigators, including Larry Ladd, Michael Wilson, Jon Hoppus, Anthony Ciriello, Sandra Ladd and myself. The Kosciusko County investigators are diverse and bring expertise in law enforcement, arson investigation, disaster coordination and emergency medical services. All office personnel, due to our collective commitment, have actively enrolled in the state training schools, externships, state-funded continuing education and testing to maintain a high level of professionalism.
"In fact, the Kosciusko County Coroner's office is among the few offices statewide to have all investigators certified. This is a policy and requirement I will continue to support for all those we serve.
"Furthermore, through efforts of Ladd and myself, the coroner's office now has permanent office space for interviews and consultations, modern communications equipment and a computerized database. This has enabled us to speed the transfer of data requests and centralize records for all interested parties. All this has been accomplished within budget guidelines, supplemented by grant requests or state-funded training."
Sadler was Kosciusko County coroner from 1988 to 1996. During that time, he served as a board member and president of the Indiana State Coroner's Association.
In addition, Sadler is an instructor for the Indiana State Coroner's Training Board. He has presented lectures locally and statewide to coroners office personnel, law enforcement, fire agencies, EMS personnel, health care personnel, police chaplains and student groups on the role and responsibilities of the coroner.
In 1995, Sadler was recognized as the outstanding county coroner by the Indiana Association of Counties due in part to his contribution to the association as president and as vice chairman of the Indiana State Coroner's Training Board. In addition, his role as a field section leader in the recovery of victims at the American Eagle Flight 4184 crash site on Oct. 31, 1995, at Roselawn, also was recognized with this honor.
Sadler, a 1978 Warsaw Community High School graduate, earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Ball State University in 1982. In 1985, he graduated with honors from Worsham College of Mortuary Science while also serving an internship at the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office, Chicago.
He is a member of the Kosciusko County Republican Party, First Presbyterian Church, Warsaw Parks Dept. Board, Mutual Federal Bank advisory board, Leesburg Lions Club and many other organizations.
Sadler and his wife Deborah have two children.
