Candidate forum: Shoshone County Coroner

The following content is part of the Shoshone News-Press’s local political coverage of the upcoming General Election.

In the absence of an in-person forum or debate, we’ve asked the candidates in the three contested races to answer a series of questions with their answers being published entirely and without any edits (with the exception of minor punctuation and formatting).

The candidates were asked to keep their answers to each question within a 250-word limit.

Each question will be printed, followed by the answers of the candidates.

The position of the answers will be rotated for each question and we will allow the incumbents to have the first answer to the first question.

The race for Shoshone County Coroner features incumbent Rick Smith (D) and his opponent Nicholas Elam (write-in).

What is the coroner's role in Shoshone County, and how do you plan to execute that role effectively?

Rick Smith: The role of the coroner is to investigate all unattended deaths to determine the cause and manner of death. The coroner has to submit death certificates to the state and determine if autopsies are needed to determine the cause and manner of death. The coroner has taken arrangements with medical examiner's office and transport the person to Spokane for autopsy. The coroner may have to investigate deaths that occur in the hospital or nursing homes.

Nicholas Elam: The coroner’s role in Shoshone County is to determine times and causes of death, often in cases of sudden deaths. The County coroner’s responsibilities also include but are not limited to identification, notification of next of kin, and working in conjunction with Shoshone County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies to investigate suspicious or violent deaths. If elected, I plan to use my military training and combat experience along with EMT, medical, and first aid training that I have previously completed to execute this role while attending educational opportunities provided by the Idaho Association of County Coroners to further my education within this field. I will also work closely with all state and local law enforcement agencies and utilize all available resources which also include Idaho State Association of County Coroners to provide thorough and accurate investigations.

What are the critical issues associated with the role of the coroner?

Nicholas Elam: I believe one of the critical issues with the role of coroner is the dissemination of information back to the people. I know and understand death is a very private matter, however there are certain instances when we could use the opportunity to teach and possibly prevent similar deaths and situations within our communities.

Rick Smith: The number of deaths related to drug use, the cost of supplies, and autopsies.

Do you believe the county coroner is an extension of local law enforcement? Or is the position more of checks and balances in accordance with law enforcement?

Rick Smith: Yes the coroner’s office is an extension of law enforcement and works alongside law enforcement to accomplish the same goal of bringing justice answers to loved ones and hold people accountable and bring justice to the decedent.

Nicholas Elam: I believe that the county coroner fills both of these roles. The coroner works closely with law enforcement agencies to conduct death investigations as well as ensure that investigations are thorough and complete. As far as checks and balances, the coroner and local law enforcement agencies can rely on each other’s experiences from a different point of view within the investigative field to provide thorough investigation results in violent or suspicious deaths. The coroner also provides the link between families and law enforcement during these difficult times.

Why do you believe that you make — or would make — a good coroner?

Nicholas Elam: As a lifelong Silver Valley resident I believe I can accurately represent and serve the people of Shoshone County with compassion and respect. I have the drive and ambition to continue to learn and further my education in this field to help provide the best possible service for our community. I have extensive medical and first aid training, great critical thinking and communication skills. I have had extensive investigative and problem solving training throughout my military career that I will apply to the position of the coroner.

Rick Smith: I was a deputy coroner for 20 years and have been your coroner for the past five years. I have investigated experience for 30 years in law enforcement. I was an EMT for 25 years, I’m in mine rescue and on the mine rescue compilation team. I worked at Shoshone Funeral Service for three years. All of which was is in Shoshone County.