Coroner. The word brings about a specific connotation, a specific image, a specific type of person. 

The image of a coroner exemplifies a tall, underweight elderly man with thin spindly fingers. A black derby hat covers his white scarecrow-like hair. His complexion as white as the corpses he works with everyday is magnified by the deep crevices some people might classify as wrinkles where his cheeks should be. His personality matches his attire which matches his occupation–a black trench coat and suit to match his dreary, dark and mysterious occupation. The coroner works alone and prefers the company of the dead rather than the alive.

Most coroners these days do not fit this exact description but the basic characteristics such as older in age and male seem to be a norm. 

However, the Albany County Coroner disproves even the basic stereotype. First, the elected official is 23-years-old. Second, the coroner is a woman.

Kathleen Vernon is the youngest coroner elected in Albany County and female. Vernon is also one of three woman coroners in the state of Wyoming. Although young, Vernon is no stranger to death.

Vernon said her mother worked for law enforcement in California. Her mother used to act as one of the local coroners on a regular basis.

Her parents were so happy for her when they found out she was elected to be coroner, Vernon said. Her parents always hoped for her to be involved in this type of work.

Before Vernon became the coroner of Albany County, she was a student in forensics and anthropology at the University of Wyoming.

Vernon said she approached Tom Ferguson (former Albany County coroner) about working for him as a contract deputy when they both worked for the Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center (WYSAC). 

Vernon said she never thought she would be a coroner, but worked as a deputy for two years under Ferguson, passed the exam and volunteered the correct number of hours to earn her certification to work as a coroner in Wyoming.

The 23-year-old said she is like most people. Her first dissection was a frog when she was in seventh grade. However, nowadays, it’s human beings. 

Although Vernon is not afraid of dead people, she still has fears. Vernon said she has a fear of gross dishes, broken toenails and once upon a time, even afraid of the dark.

To relax, she reads books or watches movies. She has friends, family and a fiancé; after all, it’s just a job. 

To get ready for the day, Vernon said it depends on her agenda. In reality, Vernon said she has to be prepared anytime to go anywhere because she never knows what is going to happen.

Vernon’s staff consists of four people, including herself. All four staff members are women under thirty years of age. 

She has served as a heroine to many women. She said she has received e-mails from many women interested in making a career in this field and feels motivated by the idea of making a difference in the world and her field. Vernon hopes to start an internship program to encourage more women to get into the field, she added.

As advice to others wanting to get into this field of work, Vernon suggests people get as much education in math and science as possible.

Kathleen Vernon is redefining the role of the coroner. She is young with a lot of experience and aspires to continue her education and help others in the same field. 

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