Coroner Ray S. Benton distributed badges and carrying cases last week, purchased with money provided by Manny and Karen Nichols, the owners of Clear Creek Company.

“These badges serve the purpose of providing ID, so people know who they are,” Benton said.

Benton, who took office in January, used himself as an example of how the seven-point medallion ID badge will be useful on the job.

He spoke of recently approaching an older woman at 10:30 p.m. at her residence to tell her about a death.

Pictured is the new Blair County coroner badge. Courtesy photo

“I held up my badge so she could see who I was,” Benton said. “But I also encouraged her not to open the door and to call a family member while I waited for their arrival.”

Benton said the deputy badges should also be helpful to local police officers or other emergency personnel who are unfamiliar with newer deputy coroners or ones they may not recognize.

While Benton said he’s not requiring the deputies to visibly display their new badges while on the job, he said he is requiring them to carry them.

“They will have them on their person,” the coroner said. “And the carrying cases can be flipped open for display.”

In October, Manny Nichols told the Altoona Mirror that he offered to cover the cost after reading a Mirror story about the commissioners’ reaction to Benton’s request for $2,325 to buy 13 badges and carrying cases from a Pittsburgh company.

Pictured is the new Blair County deputy coroner badge. Courtesy photo

Benton, chief deputy coroner at that time, proposed making the purchase with money budgeted in 2023 for his office’s janitorial services, which was available because it hadn’t been spent. He described the badges as comparable to ones issued to those in the sheriff and parole/probation offices.

In response, commissioners pointed out that the coroner’s office was already “way over budget” in 2023 because of autopsy expenses, a factor that would influence the overall 2023 budget and the pending 2024 budget. They instead expressed interest in exploring less expensive options for ID badges.

Nichols, who told the Mirror that he was “sort of shocked” by that response because he considers the coroner’s office to be law enforcement, contacted Benton and offered to pay the bill.

Benton said Wednesday that after a check was provided in late November, an order for the badges was submitted.

Benton, who now has a coroner’s badge with his name, distributed deputy coroner badges last week, then met this week with the Nichols to thank them.

“Manny and Karen Nichols are true supporters of their community and willing to answer the call when they see a need,” Benton said.