She, however, has no experience with any Colorado coroner’s office. She has no experience in medico-legal autopsy, nor does she know how the La Plata County Corner’s Office operates. The Fraternal Order of Police endorsement is biased, in that there were only nine members present and Begay’s husband, a lieutenant with the Durango Police Department, was one of the nine.

Jann Smith has served this county for 28 years, has assisted in more than 800 autopsies and handled more than 4,000 cases. She worked for Dr. Carol Huser for 10 years and has a close working relationship with Dr. Rob Kurtzman, who is contracted with La Plata County to perform our autopsies. Let’s keep the experience and compassion that Jann Smith has demonstrated for over 28 years in the coroner’s office.

Larry Phelps

Bayfield