The Rowan County Coroner’s Office is participating in the 2026 Kentucky Coroners Association Annual Conference this week in Bowling Green, joining coroners and deputy coroners from across the Commonwealth for advanced training and professional development.

The conference features a full schedule of sessions focused on critical and emerging issues in the field, including drug abuse trends, forensic toxicology, and the identification of new and evolving substances. Additional training topics include medicolegal death investigations, leadership development, and mental health awareness.

Presenters for the event include Lt. Joshua Shaffer of the Knoxville, Tennessee Police Department; Laureen J. Marinetti; Stuart A. Kurtz; Kevin Shanks; P. Michael Murphy; and Lionel Phelps, among others—bringing a wide range of expertise to attendees.

While members of the Rowan County Coroner’s Office are attending the conference, Deputy Coroner Derek Lewis remains on duty locally, ensuring that all calls are covered and that services to the community continue without interruption. Officials expressed their appreciation for Lewis’s dedication and willingness to step up during the team’s absence.

The Rowan County Coroner’s Office emphasized its commitment to ongoing education and training as a means of better serving the residents of Rowan County.

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