HENDERSON CO., KY (WFIE) -
Henderson County has passed a resolution opposing the closure of Madisonville's Medical Examiner Office. They say they don't want to spend more time, money, and resources driving to Louisville.
The Henderson County Coroner tells 14 News that office closure is an attempt by the state to save money. But he says the extra time on the road from Western Kentucky towns to Louisville will mean hundreds of dollars in travel expenses.
County Coroner Bruce Farmer says travel expenses to transport bodies to Madisonville are just over a $100. But if the Medical Examiner's Office does close on July first, he says that cost will be over $500. Aside from the money, the county tells 14 News, the jobs of law enforcement will be affected too.
"If a state trooper from Western Kentucky, say, down in the Paducah area has a homicide or an investigation going on, he has a five to six hour drive time to Louisville," said Henderson County Coroner Bruce Farmer. "Then two to three hours for the autopsy, and then five to six hours back. He's completely left his territory for an entire day."
Farmer says the fiscal court's new resolution will go to the secretary of justice and the governor opposing that office closure.
He tells 14 News, other counties are also passing resolutions and that the closure would affect 25 Kentucky counties.
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