Tracy Cutler-Wilson, Leesburg, who has served with the Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office since 2012, is one of two people vying for the nomination and appointment of Kosciusko County Coroner.

Kosciusko County Republican Precinct Committeemen will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, in the former Kosciusko County Courtroom, to hear from Wilson and her opponent, before electing the new coroner.

The county coroner position became available when Michel Wilson resigned upon being appointed fire chief of the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory.

Wilson, who is a paramedic with Tri-County Ambulance Service and Fulton County EMS, wants to continue what her husband, current county coroner, has begun. “I think Mike has done an awesome job, bringing the office to a more professional level. I just want to see it continue.”

“The coroner’s role is important as in the care of the deceased, the examination and review of the deceased medical records. There is where my invaluable experience int he medical field becomes imperative to the investigation, just as evidence collection and interviews of individuals are to law enforcement.

“I pride myself in providing the continual comfort and support to the family along with the medical knowledge and experience that is vital to successfully performing this important job. The families of the deceased know with my knowledge and compassion that I exert that I am there for their needs and assistance at any time. As this is not a full time position, it is a full time commitment and one I am very passionate about.”

She will bring to the office medical experience to determine the cause and manner of an individual’s death. “I can look at the report, medication and understand medical terms,” she stated, adding to the team aspect the office utilizes.

Wilson is currently the administrative assistant in the coroner’s office. She has organized the office, case files and evidence from 1973 to current. She has reviewed each case file and created a spread sheet for easy access.

As a paramedic, she is certified in CPR, ACLS, PALS, AMLS and PHTLS. She is a medicolegal death investigator and past victim’s advocate through the victims assistance agency of Kosciusko County. She is currently enrolled in the certified medical investigator course through the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute.

She has had direct involvement in more than 300 scene investigations, along with medical review of all cases entered into the reporting system. She has been responsible for the determination of cause and manner of death in the absence of the coroner, investigating death scenes, witnessed autopsies, collected evidence and responsible for safekeeping of the deceased effects. She also has the experience of personally communicating and counseling the deceased next of kin.

She is co-owner of a fire and life safety consultant company delivering public education, code compliance with fire safety, fire scene investigation, medical personnel training and private investigation.

She has in-depth knowledge of standard techniques for gathering and preserving physical evidence, extensive knowledge of advanced medical terminology and human anatomy, has the ability to exercise good judgement in studying evidence and drawing conclusion, ability to obtain and summarize pertinent information from police and medical reports, complete clear and comprehensive coroner’s reports, and maintain effective relations with law enforcement agencies.