DeKalb County Coroner's Office

07/26/2026

On Sundays we like to get up very early, while most are still sound asleep, and watch documentaries. Except for Clarence, seen here yawning; he’d prefer to watch Chicago PD. This morning we watched a documentary about trauma cleaners, often referred to as biohazard cleaners; a job most people could never do.

All of the cleaners who were interviewed expressed a sincere desire to help others.

We often work with trauma/biohazard cleaners and we appreciate them so much. It’s a much needed, too often overlooked, role. They are unsung heroes!

At the end of the documentary, the founder of one such company was asked how she would like to be remembered, to which she replied, “Kind.” Something we should all strive to be.

💚”In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” -Clare Pooley💚

07/17/2026

⁉️WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE CORONER’S OFFICE ⁉️

Each spring, county department heads are tasked with preparing a budget for their respective departments for the upcoming year. I submitted ours months ago and subsequently presented to the County Council this week, on my tiptoes, at a podium I still couldn’t fully reach, while sweating profusely.

I didn’t ask for any additional funding, though I believe my teammates are priceless. I did ask for a few moments to relay what we’ve done with the resources we’ve already been afforded.

Thus far this year we’ve:

-Handled 81 calls
-Provided education to high school classrooms, practitioners and community groups
-Attended countless Touch-A-Truck events; there are those who prefer not to touch our truck, and that’s okay
-Participated in fatality review meetings
-Provided resources for grief, substance abuse and other issues
-Stocked the van with children’s books, toys, coloring books and crayons for kids who are struggling at scenes
-Attended training to maintain and enhance our skills and knowledge
-Collaborated with other agencies
-Helped find homes for pets after the loss of their owners
-Delivered way too much terrible news, but also provided much needed answers
-Gave lots of hugs

And so much more.

Our department has a comparatively small budget, but that doesn’t stop us from doing lots of big, important things.

💚We are so thankful for the support and trust of our community leaders and of the community as a whole.💚

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!♥️
-Jennie

P.S. I will remember to bring my own step stool next year.

07/03/2026

06/29/2026

🥵🔥HEAT ADVISORY!🔥🥵

We like to sit outside and read a good [serial killer] book as much as the next person, but today is not that kind of day.

Today is hot as [insert inappropriate for social media descriptors here], just as upcoming days are forecasted to be. We’re under a heat advisory and we don’t mean maybe.

Stay indoors when able. Keep hydrated. Don’t let pets outside for more than a few moments and don’t leave them, or children (which should go without saying but we know that common sense is not so common anymore), in a hot vehicle, for Pete’s sake.

You can be fire, and cool all at once.

06/27/2026

🎸🎼When Willie Nelson penned the lyrics “On the Road Again,” I’m certain he didn’t have us in mind, yet here we are, on the road again. 🎼🎸

Today we had the opportunity to participate in Public Safety Day at the Corunna Fire Department. We spent time with lots of pretty fantastic emergency responders, and thanks to amazing Animal Control Officer Hedge, puppies, too (photo in the comments).

It surprised some to learn that we have books, crayons, stuffed toys and grief, mental health and addiction related resources in our van. It surprised no one, however, to learn that we had big Casey’s sodas in our cup holders, because that’s how we [always] roll (sometimes we have big cookies, too!).

We’re here for our community; for education, prevention, a helping hand on someone’s worst day. And hugs. 💚

06/26/2026

🐢Last evening my husband and I were out for a drive when we came upon a turtle in the roadway. We stopped to move him, but found that he’d already been hit and did not survive.

I moved him into the grass anyway, and later lamented about the turtle. I hope he hadn’t suffered and wish he’d been helped before being struck.

This morning I saw a truck pulled to the side of the road and then spotted an older gentleman moving a fairly large turtle from a busy street to a nearby pond. It made my heart so happy. ❤️

I think people are like turtles. There are times when we all need a little help to keep moving. Sometimes we are mired by sadness; life can be hard and heavy, making it difficult to move forward.

What will you do when you see someone struggling? Will you speed past, pretending not to see, or will you offer help in the form of a kind word or gesture, or maybe just afford a bit of grace?

Sometimes we’re the driver, sometimes we’re the turtle. It takes nothing to be kind. 🐢

-Jennie

06/25/2026

🔥🚒 COME SEE US! 🚒🔥

We’re on the road again and we’d love to see you! Come touch our truck (or not), and learn more about the Coroner’s Office.

06/20/2026

🫆👮🏼‍♀️Today we had the honor of hearing Det. Jason White of The First 48, speak at the ISCA annual conference. Not only was Jason extremely engaging, he was also very approachable.

Dave, our Chief Transport Tech, is a super fan and was even able to visit with Jason for a bit.

This has been such a great few days.

A huge thank you to Chief Deputy Ge**er for staying back this year so we could attend, and for all that he does!

I could not ask for better teammates! 💚

Jennie

06/16/2026

❤️❣️💙THANK YOU!💙❣️❤️

The quote on my shirt is partially obscured by this big, beautiful Michael Kors purse; it says “Believe in Heroes.”

Pictured here with me is my friend Tracy, of Jeff’s Towing. Tracy is a huge animal advocate; she recently saved and bottle fed a tiny kitten and has helped countless more. Tracy has a big, kind heart. 🐱

Tracy donated this purse, to be auctioned at our annual conference, the proceeds of which will support our scholarship fund.

Today and everyday, Tracy is my hero. Thank you for your support, my friend!

-Jennie

06/14/2026

💚💚THANK YOU!💚💚

Today I would like to shine a light on some folks who rarely receive the recognition they deserve, our local funeral directors. These folks are truly unsung heroes; heroes who likely now regret providing me with their personal cell phone numbers. ☎️

Why? Because I often begin conversations like this: “I need help but I’ll completely understand if you say no.” These conversations frequently occur late at night or in the wee hrs of the morning.

What do I convey in these calls?:

-You might not get paid.
-You’re probably going to get yelled at (a lot).
-You’re going to have to use your best secret squirrel sleuthing capabilities to track down family, but I’ll help you because I have secret squirrel sleuthing capabilities, too.
-I’ll bring you a Big Gulp Diet Dew and/or cookies if you help me.

And they always help. For no reason, other than they’re just really good humans.

We love our local funeral directors and funeral home staff.

We are so blessed to work with the best of the best.

Thank you!
-Jennie

“The most truly generous persons are those who give silently without hope of praise or reward.” -Carol Ryrie Brink