County Coroner

Thomas C. “Tom” Whittaker

The County Coroner is a county-wide elected office serving a four year term.

The duties of the Coroner are to investigate deaths that are the result of violence by homicide, suicide or accident and unforeseen sudden deaths when deceased has not been attended to by a physician in the previous thirty six hours or any unusual or suspicious manner.  The Coroner of any County in the State of Missouri, is considered the chief certifier of death, and in the absence or refusal of a physician to sign a certificate of death, the coroner is required to complete and sign the death certificate.  Since 1997, all Hospice deaths must be reported to the coroner and a file maintained concerning that death kept in the office of the coroner.

Beginning August 28, 2003 a law was put in affect that required the Coroner to be notified of all nursing home deaths, much in the same manner as the Hospice deaths and an investigation will only take place if there is a reasonable suspicion of foul play or abuse.  All deaths of children from birth to age eighteen are required by law to be investigated by the Coroner and reviewed by a county Child Fatality Review Panel.  This panel is comprised of the Prosecuting Attorney, the Juvenile Office, Division of Family Services, Public Health (including a physician), Law Enforcement, Emergency Medical Service and the County Coroner.

P.O. Box 132

Cabool, MO  65689

Phone:  417-962-4889
Cell:  417-254-0171