Starke County Coroner Dannie Hoffer is looking for ways to save the county money and make his office more efficient. He told the county commissioners Monday his colleague in LaPorte County has an agreement with the hospital there to do a quick blood analysis on suspected overdose victims. He says if drugs are found in the bloodstream, a full autopsy is not needed to determine the cause of death.
Hoffer would like to have a similar arrangement with Starke Hospital but so far has had no success in negotiating it. The commissioners suggested he ask the LaPorte County Coroner for a copy of their agreement with the hospital so it can be drafted into a formal policy proposal.
Hoffer also told the commissioners adding internet service at the new building at the sheriff’s office would allow him to generate death certificates there. The building is just out of range of the wi-fi at the sheriff’s office.
Additionally Hoffer says the cooler used for body storage is leaking water. The commissioners authorized him to contact Jackson Refrigeration to service it.
Lastly, Hoffer says two security cameras were stolen from his building in Knox. Police recovered one at the pawn shop and made an arrest, but the other disappeared. Hoffer purchased a new one for $700, and the commissioners agreed to reimburse him from the cumulative capital development fund. They also plan to file a claim with the county’s insurance company.
