YOUR COUNTY: Coroner’s office deals with realities of death

It is said the only thing sure in life is death and taxes. While the tax issue for some of the very wealthy in the world may be in question, death is a reality for us all. Because these last days can happen in so many ways and it can have a major effect on family, friends and others, the state of Wisconsin early on set up a special office in each county called the coroner.

Sheboygan County coroner, who has served for many years, is David J. Leffin. It is a partisan political office with elections in the fall of the year. Leffin’s office is located in the basement of the Sheboygan Courthouse and is overseen by the Sheboygan County Board’s Law Committee.

In the annual Coroner’s Report for 2009, he reported investigating 490 deaths that took place – 227 male and 218 female. The manner of deaths include: accidental (46), homicide (3), natural (418), suicides (14), undetermined (8) and pending (1). This is five more than the previous year (2008) and 60 fewer than in 2007. Part of the reason for the decline in death investigations by Leffin is the addition of the Sharon S. Richardson Hospice facility in Sheboygan Falls.

One of Leffin’s most important jobs is to interact with next of kin including notification of death and follow-up information with law enforcement personnel, attorneys and physicians. But there is much more. Depending on the cause of death, he can or will do the following (information provided in a May 2010 Wisconsin Counties Association article):

• Order medicolegal autopsies. • Initiate an investigation if foul play is suspected and to contact the appropriate agency. • Complete reports of inquests and investigations. • Interview witnesses. • Obtain lab samples for testing or screening by a laboratory. • Record facts and conclusions concerning a death and testify regarding such information if requested.

• Sign death certificates, cremation permits and any other necessary paper work.

The investigation process includes but is not limited by visual and physical examination of the deceased and the surroundings, the pronouncement or confirmation of the death of an individual, establishing the date and time of death, review of medication present and usage, review of medical history, identifying any recent changes in health or physical conditions, and obtaining information by speaking with family members, nursing staff and physicians, as well as neighbors, witnesses or law enforcement. In deaths where law enforcement is involved, it is a collaborative effort of sharing investigation findings and knowledge.

In 2010 the Sheboygan County morgue was renovated and modernized. There will now be appropriate office space, separate door to the autopsy suite from the office area, a changing area/locker facility and rest room. The modern autopsy unit will be in the suite with a walk-in refrigeration unit and state-of-the-art ventilation.

The coroner’s office signs cremation permits; in 2009, 424 such permits were registered. The Sheboygan County cremation fee was increased in October 2009, from $25 to $100.

The job of Sheboygan County coroner is important, but it is one that few people would likely enjoy. But knowing why, where, when and how someone died can provide vital information to local and state medical staff, families, law enforcement, and even future generations.