McCormack brings experience as deputy in office; Warren offers long-term medical background
From STAFF REPORTS
After Nov. 3, the citizens of Marshall County will have a new coroner; current office-holder Cody Nugent elected not to seek the post again.
Mike McCormack, who’s served as a deputy coroner for 13 years, won the Republican nomination.
Rebecca ‘Becky’ Warren won the Democrat spot on the ballot. She brings decades of medical experience to the race.
The Leader posed questions to the candidates. Here are their responses.
Rebacca “Becky” Warren
How do you think your experience will help in fulfilling the duties of the coroner’s office?
My experience as both daughter and spouse of men who retired from the Army instilled in me the importance of duty in serving the community. My experience of being a military spouse conditioned me to be adaptable, resilient, organized, tenacious, and to work well with people from many different backgrounds.
My 25 years of nursing experience in a variety of settings taught me hard work, independent leadership, and to treat all people with compassion and dignity, including the recently deceased. I have helped families during their difficult times after the loss of loved ones.
In addition, my years of medical experience will be an asset in death investigations. My medical experience will assist me in accurately evaluating health histories, physical evidence, and autopsy results in a death investigation.
Are there issues in the office that need to be addressed, or changes that should be made to improve service?
While running for Marshall County Coroner, I chose to speak with leaders at nearly all the funeral homes in our county. The consistent complaint I hear from most of the funeral homes is that there is a delay in death certificates and permissions to cremate.
This is incredibly difficult on families who have lost a loved one. I believe this delay is due to the coroner having a full-time job in addition to his position as coroner.
As coroner, I will not hold any other employment. I will be solely dedicated to the people of Marshall County – one office, one job. I believe this will expedite death certificates and permissions to cremate thus ensuring no additional undue burdens on our citizens who lose a loved one. Additionally, my singular focus on the office of coroner will allow me to assess current practices for betterment as well as concentrate on improving fiscal responsibility.
Mike McCormack
How do you think your experience will help in fulfilling the duties of the coroner’s office?
Over the past 13 years, I have spent countless hours investigating all different types of deaths, serving as a Marshall County Deputy Coroner. To date, I have investigated 769 deaths independently. I also completed MDI training in March 2024, and I attend the yearly continuing education courses at the Alabama Coroners Association conference.
I am thankful for the strong working relationships I have with the Marshall County District Attorney’s Office, Alabama Dept of Forensic Sciences, all law enforcement agencies, and funeral homes in Marshall County. I feel that my work as a Marshall County Deputy Coroner has prepared me to serve as Coroner.
Are there issues in the office that need to be addressed, or changes that should be made to improve service?
The signing of death certificates and approval of cremation permits are solely controlled by the coroner. I have a plan to make both more efficient.
Once elected, I will meet with each funeral home to explain my plan to ensure that these are managed timely.
I completely understand the strain families feel as they wait for death certificates to be signed. In some cases, the delay is beyond the coroner’s control. Communication is key to making sure families understand those situations and timelines. It has been my experience, when I explain the reason for any delays, families understand and appreciate the communication.
