Coroners from across the state want their personnel included in a bill that would add protections for first responders at crime scenes.
Senate Bill 293, sponsored by State Sen. April Weaver (R-Brierfield), would create a new criminal offense of “interference with a first responder.” The bill covers police, fire and EMS. However, Morgan County Coroner Jeffrey Chunn said coroners should be added to the list.
“I am making a legislative push to ensure that coroners are formally recognized and protected under Alabama Senate Bill 293,” Chunn stated.
After a career in law enforcement and 15 years as coroner, Chunn said he recognizes how important coroners and medicolegal death investigators are on active crime scenes. He does not want to see “these essential officials” left vulnerable.
“What many lawmakers may not fully appreciate is how routinely coroners and death investigators respond to scenes without any law enforcement present,” he said. “In rural and suburban counties across Alabama, it is commonplace for a coroner to arrive at a death scene before a deputy does, or in cases where a death is determined to be non-criminal in nature, to be left entirely alone once law enforcement clears the scene.”
After experiencing emotional and hostile loved ones at death scenes, Chunn said he knows all too well how dangerous the job can be.
“Beyond physical safety, the exclusion of coroners from first responder status has cascading consequences. Coroners are legally mandated to respond to every death, regardless of circumstance — homicides, suicides, accidents, decomposed remains, pediatric fatalities, and mass casualty events,” Chunn said. “They respond without the same access to mental health resources, peer support programs, or line-of-duty injury protections that are standard for police and fire personnel. The cumulative psychological toll of this work, performed without institutional support, is substantial. Formal recognition as first responders would open access to the same mental health infrastructure that Alabama already funds for other emergency personnel.”
Chunn said he hopes Weaver will consider his concerns and ensure coroners are not placed at a greater risk than other first responders, “simply because the law has not kept pace with the reality” of how death investigations are conducted in the field.
Representatives from the Alabama Coroners Association and the Alabama Coroners Training Commission have met with lawmakers to request an amendment. However, Chunn said he has received resistance from Weaver and other lawmakers.
Interference with a first responder would be a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $6,000.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every day, or become a member to gain access to exclusive content and 1819 News merch.
