Coroner retires; acting coroner plans to apply for his vacancy

Stuart Smedley retired as Garland County coroner Monday, ending a more than 20-year career in death scene investigation. Citing "unforeseen personal health reasons," Smedley said Wednesday he's unable to complete the four-year term he was reelected to in 2022. He told voters ahead of that year's Republican primary that he began working in the coroner's office in 2000. He had been the county's elected coroner for more than a decade.

By: David Showers
The Sentinel-Record

Stuart Smedley retired as Garland County coroner Monday, ending a more than 20-year career in death scene investigation.

Citing "unforeseen personal health reasons," Smedley said Wednesday he's unable to complete the four-year term he was reelected to in 2022. He told voters ahead of that year's Republican primary that he began working in the coroner's office in 2000. He had been the county's elected coroner for more than a decade.

"It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Garland County, but personal health has dictated my early retirement," Smedley said in the letter of resignation he submitted in October. "I would like to thank all of the agencies and people I have had the opportunity to work with and will always treasure the relationships that have been forged."

Jayson Neighbors said Wednesday he's the county's acting coroner. He's been one of its deputy coroners for 12 years.

Smedley's retirement tasks the 2023-24 Garland County Quorum Court with making its second appointment to a vacant elected office. In November, justices of the peace appointed Vivian Thomas to serve the remainder of Tim Stockdale's term as county treasurer after Stockdale retired less than a year into the four-year term he was elected to in 2022.

Neighbors said Wednesday he plans to apply for the coroner's vacancy.

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