Logan County Coroner Mary Givens received her much anticipated morgue cooler Monday morning. The three drawer cooler arrived in Logan County around 11 a.m.
“I am really grateful that we were able to get the cooler and set up a morgue for Logan County,” said Givens, who has been diligently pushing for the idea.
Givens says there are a lot of times - for one reason or another - that she has to hold onto a body for a few days and needed a place to store them. She had been using the cooler at Logan Memorial Hospital, however, there is always concern that space will be utilized by the hospital during a time when Givens may need it.
“The hospital has been very accommodating to us, but we really need our own,” said Givens.
Another thing Givens believes was much needed was a space for her to work out of. She needed a place she could access 24/7, one which had concrete floors, running water and electricity.
After several months of searching, the county and the City of Russellville came together and found a perfect site in the back of Maple Grove Cemetery, where the Sexton’s maintenance garage was once located.
“I am thankful to the city of Russellville for allowing me to use the space. This will help a great deal,” said Givens.
Chick talked to Russellville Mayor Mark Stratton, asking him if the city had anywhere that fit the coroner’s needs. After looking around, Stratton contacted Sexton Kenny Gregory and asked him if there was any space at the cemetery offices.
“I’ve been wanting to move Kenny’s office to the Sexton House, to have a steady movement in and out,” said Stratton. The Sexton House has been vacated for sometime now. Stratton said Mary came down to look at Gregory’s old office, but in fact liked the maintenance portion of the building better.
Judge/Executive Logan Chick agreed with Givens and was grateful to the City of Russellville for providing the space.
“The city government seems to be going really well. Mark and I work well together and I think this is something that will benefit us all,” said Chick.
Mayor Stratton added that when he was asked about a place to house a morgue, he began right away trying to find one.
“We are just trying to help where we are needed to help,” said Stratton.
The new three drawer cooler was purchased for $5,200. Funds to buy it were obtained by a grant awarded through Scott County. The Scott County Coroner, John Goble said his county helps out coroners with funding across the state on an as-needed basis.
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