July 14, 2012
07/16/12 Marshall County Coroner Bill Cleavenger was notified late last week that Deputy Coroner, Bridget Hite has successfully completed all aspects of Indiana’s mandatory coroner training program and has been certified by the state as a Medicolegal Death Investigator. Indiana is the first state to require all deputy coroners become certified.
Bridget is a Corporal with the Plymouth Police Department and also works part-time in the Marshall County Prosecutors Office. Cleavenger said that Hite brings a special aspect to the coroner’s office because of her training and experience in crime scene investigation and photography training. “Not all cases require these special expertise’s but it is a great resource to our office and other agencies should the need arise and we were to need Bridget’s services”.
Cleavenger said that Hite is not a new hire as far as employees are concerned as she and the three other certified deputies are paid a per call basis of $ 42.00 and that money has been in the Coroner’s budget over the last ten years. This year it stands at $2400.00 and only about $600.00 has been paid out this year so far. Her training and certification cost Marshall County no monies because all expenses, travel and training is underwritten by the Indiana Coroners Training Board collected from a small part of the fee charged for certified copies of death certificates.
Cleavenger said he is very appreciative of Bridget’s dedication, knowledge and professionalism and that she will serve the citizens of Marshall County with compassion and dignity as a Marshall County Deputy Coroner.