The Pulaski County Coroner’s Office had a busy year in 2019. Coroner Jon Frain told the county commissioners last week that the county had 149 deaths last year, which is more than usual. Almost a third of them were investigated by the Coroner’s Office.
“A lot of counties are in the single digits, maybe 10 or 11 percent, as far as percentage investigated,” Frain explained. “I don’t have a particularly wise answer, as to why we are so busy.”
Frain said that over a third of the deaths his office investigated last year are classified as violent crimes or violent deaths. “That includes a homicide, a couple suicides, drug overdoses, and accidents,” he said.
Frain credits the dedication and cooperation among various agencies for helping to minimize the number of overdose deaths. “We had two drug overdoses last year,” he said. “We would’ve had a lot more if it wasn’t for [Sheriff] Jeff [Richwine] and his team and EMS and first responders and the way they respond. It’s sad. It’s really said, and I don’t know what to do about it, but we would be a lot busier if they didn’t do what they did.”
Going forward, Frain said he and an alternate deputy will go to the annual coroner’s conference for required training next month. Frain also plans to discuss updated job descriptions and other items related to the employee handbook, during the commissioners’ next meeting on Monday.
Meanwhile, Governor Eric Holcomb announced last week that he had appointed Frain to the Statewide Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee. He’ll serve through July of 2022.
