CORONER CANDIDATES FACE OFF IN RE-MATCH; INCUMBENT DIFFERENT

The Cape Girardeau County coroner's race is a rematch from 1988, only this time the incumbent is different.

The incumbent in 1992 is Republican John Carpenter, who nosed out Democrat Harold Cobb by 160 votes, ending a 10-year hold on the office.

Carpenter is running for re-election because he enjoys the job; Cobb is wanting it back because he enjoyed the job.

The job of the coroner pays just $5,000 a year and his duties are to investigate accidental deaths, homicides, deaths that occur from mysterious causes or when an individual has not been under direct doctors care.

"I have enjoyed the job. I have enjoyed the relationship I have had with the law enforcement people and the prosecutor of this county," said Carpenter, in explaining his desire to win a new term. "My whole life has been in public service.

"The coroner's job is not law enforcement and it is not medical. It is kind of a gray area. We work both sides for the protection of the people in the county."

Cobb maintains that he has superior experience and training to the present incumbent. "I enjoyed the job; I had it for 10 years, and feel far and away the most qualified of the two candidates. I have two degrees from the University (Southeast) one in criminal justice and a bachelor in general studies. I also have over 660 hours of training in things like advanced criminal law, evidence collection, criminal investigation and court procedures and rules of evidence.

"But my 10 years experience as coroner is the best form of training," added Cobb. "My experience, my education, whatever you want to call it, he is not even close to me."

But Carpenter maintains he is well qualified to be coroner, not only from his four years experience, but also experience as a licensed funeral director since 1967. Carpenter points out that he has also gone beyond the minimum statutory requirement for training with over 350 hours.

"I promised people when I was elected to carry out the duties in a caring, compassionate, professional and courteous manner, protecting the reputation of innocent families and properly representing the deceased with dignity," said Carpenter.

"I have not only worked hard at the job, but also on improving laws the coroner's office operates under. Much has been done to improve the operations of the office and professionalism throughout the state."

Carpenter stressed that he feels his aggressiveness, honest and fair enforcement of the office has been an asset to prosecution and law enforcement.

Cobb contends that there is much more to the coroner's job than having experience as a funeral director. "The only thing close is that you both deal with the death, but being a funeral director does not qualify you for coroner," he declared, noting that has been in the funeral business for 24 years.

"I will handle cases with dignity and understanding toward the family," declared Cobb, "while at the same time conducting a fair and impartial inquiry into the death."

As part of the investigation of deaths, the coroner has the legal right to request autopsies. Both candidates say they will not hesitate to call for autopsies if necessary to eliminate doubt about the cause of death.

"We need more autopsies, but it is expensive, so you have to use good judgment when you call one," said Cobb. "I never had a problem if I felt one was needed. I just did it and the county commission never argued with me. They knew I didn't do it unless it was necessary."

Carpenter said he uses autopsies for all deaths where there is no history of a medical problem or anything that could be suspicious. "For this part of the state I have probably the highest autopsy rate, but I want to be assured that people in Cape County are being properly represented, noted Carpenter.

"We just don't want a wrongful death to go unnoticed without all of the proper investigation ... you've got to use good common sense and show care for the deceased and concern for the living."

Carpenter is a native of Sikeston and moved to Cape Girardeau in 1977. He has worked for several funeral homes and presently operates Carpenter Mortuary Service. Before coming to Cape, he taught five years at the embalming school in Louisville.

Cobb is a lifelong resident of Cape Girardeau and works for the Southeast Missouri State University police department and with Ford and Sons Funeral Home.