Porter County will have a new coroner in 2027 as two current deputies are vying to succeed their boss, Cyndi Dykes.
Dykes, a Republican, served for 8 years and couldn’t run again because of term limits. She was defeated by Mike Brickner in the Republican primary for Porter County Commissioner.
Brian Bowles, 42, the chief deputy coroner, is the Republican candidate for the office, emerging from the primary by defeating Jeff Beach and Jerame Simpson.
More Top Picks Best Reading Chairs For Living Rooms
Julie Wiencken-Smith, 64, who also works as a deputy coroner, is the Democratic nominee for the job.
This is the first time that Bowles and Wiencken-Smith have ever run for public office.
The coroner’s position is considered part-time as there is only one full-time employee in the office.
Brian Bowles
Bowles has worked for 10 years in the Porter County Coroner’s office as a deputy coroner, which is a part-time position.
For most of his working life, Bowles has been in law enforcement.
Bowles started his career in 2004 as a jailer for the Porter County Sheriff’s Office. His full-time job is supervising security for St. Mary’s Medical Center in Valparaiso and Hobart.
Through his experience as the coroner’s chief deputy and knowing the issues involved, Bowles said he decided the time was right to run.
As the chief deputy coroner, Bowles said he already handles administrative duties like scheduling, training and budgets.
Bowles said he has represented the coroner’s office on budgetary matters before the Porter County Council.
If he is elected, Bowles said that he would like to change the image of the coroner’s office.
“If there is a fight outside your residence, you say thank God for law enforcement,” Bowles said.
Admittedly, there’s a “cloud of gloom” when the coroner’s transport vehicle arrives. Bowles said he wants the public to know the coroner’s staff is trained and sensitive.
“We’re not just there to do the transport and investigation; we are there to care for the family,” Bowles said.
The coroner’s office also needs to build a stronger relationship with law enforcement, nursing homes and the medical community, Bowles said.
Bowles said Porter County government also needs to spend more money on updating its equipment, procedures and operations, along with addressing employee compensation.
“We are in an office that operates similarly to what it was at least 20 years ago,” Bowles said.
More Top Picks Bryant Air Conditioner Reviews
Julie Wiencken-Smith
Wiencken-Smith said she is convinced that she is the best person for the coroner’s job.
“Being a woman, I am compassionate and I am kind,” Wiencken-Smith said. “For me to be jumping into this, I am doing this with heart.”
Wiencken-Smith has had the personal experience of being contacted by the coroner’s office, losing a brother in a house fire 45 years ago.
“You want somebody there to help you,” Wiencken-Smith said, noting it’s an important part of the job.
Wiencken-Smith has worked for 25 years as a medical technician and is certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathology. For the past 20 years, she has worked at Valparaiso University as the head of laboratory preparations for the biology department.
As a part-time deputy coroner for five years, Wiencken-Smith said she has also learned firsthand the inner workings and the needs of the office.
One of the problems is the lack of pay for part-time deputy coroners, Wiencken-Smith said.
The county pays $17 an hour to the deputy coroners, who are on call for 12-hour shifts.
Over the years, the coroner’s office seems to have the lowest priority when it comes to the county’s budgeting process, Wiencken-Smith said.
Wiencken-Smith said one county councilman even stated, “All you do is move dead bodies around; what else do you need?”
“We’re the lowest on the totem pole. That’s one thing I intend to change,” Wiencken-Smith said.
Wiencken-Smith said she would speak up before the county council and commissioners about the needs of the coroner’s office.
“I am the right voice because I won’t back down,” Wiencken-Smith said.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.