MOUNT VERNON — For the first time in recent memory, the position of Knox County Coroner is up for grabs and two Republicans are running against each other for the job.
Dr. Jennifer Ogle, Mount Vernon, is challenging 15-year incumbent Dr. Jeffrey Bowers, Fredericktown.
The coroner is responsible for the medical investigation of any unexpected death in the county. Cases include homicides, accidents and the death of anyone not under a physicians care for more than three weeks. In Knox County, the coroner earns $26,106 per year, according to the Ohio Secretary of State’s office.
Both candidates for coroner are doctors and both are both certified family practitioners. Bowers is additionally a board certified forensic examiner and certified in geriatrics.
Ogle graduated from the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1998. Bowers graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1983.
In a statement to the News, Ogle said, “I have a long-standing and sincere interest in becoming a coroner. I developed this interest early as my father has been an Ohio coroner for years and is the president of the Ohio State Coroners Association.
“The coroner’s office should provide more services than it traditionally has, including community outreach,” said Ogle. “I have several ideas that I believe will have a very positive impact in Knox County.”
Bowers said that of the 90 or so deaths he investigates per year, the most important part of his job is “trying to help people come to an understanding of what happened to their loved one.”
Bowers said he has 22 years of hospital and ICU experience, five years of emergency room experience, and 15 years of mandatory training in death investigation, toxicology and updates in investigative techniques.
Since both candidates have their own private medical practices, each candidate described how they would balance their duties as coroner with their own private businesses.
Ogle said, “I am fortunate to have a supportive husband and father-in-law in practice with me. If an unexpected death were to happen in the middle of office hours I would call whichever partner was not in the office and have them cover while I attended to the tragedy.”
Bowers said he often gets called out during the day. “I’ll get called out during a full office load and we just have to rearrange [for my patients].”
Ogle has received the official endorsement of the Knox County Republican Party, according to party chair Bill Moody.
Bowers has the endorsement of County Prosecutor John Thatcher, Sheriff David Barber and former Knox County Coroner Dr. Edward Blackburn.
