Coroner
Washington County's Elected Coroners
Washington County has 4 Elected Coroners that are all members of NYSACCME (New York State Association of County Coroners & Medical Examiners).
- John Aiken
- James Gariepy
- Robert Lemieux, Accredited Medico-Legal Death Investigator
- Wes Perry
- Dr. Kevin Gallagher, County Physician
- Dr. Michael Sikirica, Forensic Pathologist
Jurisdiction & Authority of the Coroner
The Washington County Coroners have jurisdiction and authority to investigate the death of every person who dies within the county, or whose body is found within the county which is or appears to be:
- A violent death, whether by criminal violence, suicide or casualty.
- A death of a person not under the care of a physician.
- A death of a person confined in a public institution
- A death which occurs during a unlawful act
- A death that occurs which is unusual or and unexplained death
All work of the coroner’s office is performed in accordance with recognized procedures established by New York State Department of health and vital statistics.
The Coroner’s office works closely with Law Enforcement, family physicians, coroner’s physician, and a Forensic Pathologist to determine the cause of death.
At a scene, Law Enforcement is in charge of the scene. The Coroner is in charge of the body and medical history. The body is under the jurisdiction of the coroner until it is released to a licensed funeral director.
Important Information
Warren and Washington County Suicide Prevention Coalition- 518-232-4056
This response team can assist you and provide you with support if you have experienced a recent suicide of sudden traumatic loss. They help people impacted by a sudden traumatic loss. Provide information on grief support and mental health resources, promote individual and community healing, provide resources and referral, educate the public on suicide prevention.
Co-sleeping with your baby
Co-sleeping is associated with an increased risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy. Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) is a broad term that includes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleeping accidents in some circumstances. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC both advise against sharing a bed with a children under one year old
Contact Us
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Office of the Coroner
383 Broadway Building B
Fort Edward, NY 12828
Phone: (518) 746 - 2536
* This is a physical address, the coroners are not in the office daily, please call to schedule an appointment
- What happens if a autopsy needs to be performed on my love one?
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The coroner will prepare the remains for transport and contact the nearest funeral home, ( At that point the funeral home works for the coroner’s office) to transport the remains to the Glens Falls Hospital Morgue. Once the autopsy is completed, the coroner will contact the next of kin with the results and ask which funeral home they would like the remains released. The coroner will call the funeral home and make arraignments to have the remains removed from the hospital.
- Is a autopsy always performed?
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Not always. The coroner will not issue a autopsy if all the factors below apply.
- The death is a natural cause
- The attending physician know the medical history and has been treating the patient regularly.
- Is there a cost to a autopsy?
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If the coroner deems a autopsy is necessary to determine the cause of death, there is not charge to the family.
- How do I retain a copy of the autopsy report?
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The autopsy report is the property of Washington County. Only the next of kin can obtain a copy of the report. You must contact the coroner of record and complete the necessary paper work in order to obtain a copy.
- How do I obtain a Death Certificate?
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The funeral home will assist you with death certificates and the number that you will need. All death certificates are now done online. If it is a coroner call, the coroner will start the death certificate.
- What Is a Pending Death Certificate?
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If at the autopsy a cause of death is not determined, the death certificate is pending further studies. This mean outside testing is completed. This includes, but not limited to toxicology and slides. Once a cause of death is determined, the death certificate will be updated, and a new death certificate with the cause of death will be issued. Please note you can still make arrangements with a funeral home with a pending death certificate.