What do you see as the primary role of coroner?
The primary responsibility of the coroner is to investigate the cause and manner of “unnatural” deaths.
Why do you want to run for the position?
I want to continue the progress of the office that was started in 2000 and continues today under the leadership of Roger Wheeler.
Why do you think you’re the best candidate for the job?
I was elected coroner in 2000 and have served in the office since that time. At the time I was elected, the office was not being run up to today’s expectations. I put into place protocol by which deaths are investigated in Jackson County. I provided this protocol to all law enforcement agencies, EMS, fire departments and medical facilities in the county. This protocol is still being followed today.
I also developed a case management software that is now being utilized by coroner’s offices throughout the country. This enabled our local office the opportunity to store data electronically and make it more readily available.
When elected in 2000, I completed the now required Medicolegal Death Investigators course and have maintained certification since that time. I have had in-depth training on the different types of death investigations over the last 20 years.
I have also served seven years in law enforcement, first as a reserve deputy with the sheriff’s department from 1994 to 1997 and then as a full-time officer with Seymour from 1997 to 2001. This enabled me to learn a great deal about investigations in general, which further allowed me to improve the investigations done by the coroner’s office.
Having worked in the death industry since 1985, I have always and will continue to hold the dignity of the deceased as a number one priority. I will continue to ensure that investigations are done with fair and impartial judgment. I will also continue to show the compassion that I still share with every family we serve at our funeral home.
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Name: Andy Rumph
Age: 52
Hometown: Seymour
Occupation: Funeral home director
Previous political experience: County coroner
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