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FREE ACCESS: Incumbent coroner interviewed ahead of election
The following candidates are running on the Republican ticket for Stoddard County coroner. Incumbent Brent Stidham is challenged by Charlie Robertson.
Both candidates were presented with the same questions by the Dexter Statesman more than a week before the publication deadline. Robertson did not to respond.
There are no Democrat challengers for this race. The winner is the presumptive winner of the November general election.
Brent Stidham
Age: 32
Spouse: Lauren Blair Stidham
Children: Holland Mark Stidham
Occupation: Stoddard County coroner
Education: Three Rivers College, associate’s degree in criminal justice, and Southeast Missouri State Law
Enforcement Academy
Current affiliations: Seated on the board of directors at Stoddard County Major Case Squad, co-founder of the Stidham Memorial Scholarship at Dexter High School, serves on the Stoddard County Child Fatality Review Panel; member of the Stoddard County Republican Club, Dexter Ducks Unlimited, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Coroner and Medical Examiners Association and the International Coroners and Medical Examiners Association.
What type of experience do you have that qualifies you for the most common responsibilities of coroner?
I have served as coroner since January 2021. During that time, I have worked over 375 death investigations, including accidents, homicides, suicides, overdoses and natural deaths. I work with hospital staff and area first responders on scenes on every call. I have a great working relationship with forensic pathologist Dr. Russell Deidiker as well as our toxicology labs in the area.
Missouri statute lists the duties of the coroner to be an investigator of death. With having over a decade of law enforcement experience as well as this term as coroner, I feel my experience qualifies me to hold this position. I have never worked for a funeral home or in the funeral business. I believe that allows me to operate as an independent coroner without showing bias when a family is making a decision regarding their loved one. I have been endorsed by over 70 Stoddard County Public Safety Officials from emergency medical personnel, police and fire departments.
What do you believe makes you the most qualified candidate to perform responsibilities of sheriff, should the need arise?
In the event the coroner is needed to serve in the position of sheriff, I feel that our Stoddard County Commission would be swift in appointing an interim sheriff. However, I hold a Missouri Class A POST Certification and have worked as a police officer since 2013. I am also familiar with the inner workings and staff of our sheriff’s department.
In the event of discovering a death by violence, what would you do?
When a death by violence occurs, the Stoddard County Major Case Squad is immediately activated. That consists of myself, local law enforcement, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Prosecuting Attorney Sawyer Smith. All scenes and incidents are different so there is no blanket answer, but it usually includes applying for and obtaining search warrants, assisting with processing the scene and then transporting the deceased to a secure location. I then contact Dr. Russell Deidiker and have an autopsy completed. After the autopsy is completed, I reconvene with law enforcement and our prosecuting attorney and let them know of the findings. I always remain in contact throughout the length of a court case in case I am needed to testify.
I am proud to say that during my time as coroner the Stoddard County Major Case squad has secured criminal convictions for individuals who commit these crimes. During these difficult cases, it is also important to stay in constant contact with the family of victims. I always make sure to answer all questions and provide case updates to family members.