County Judge Executive Larry Russell Bryant likes to hit his fist on the desk and declare this is his county and he will run it like he wants. He has succeeded at taking control of another elected office now, following the resignation of Coroner Roger Huckaby. This will be two local elected positions being vacated in the current toxic environment and two positions that Bryant gets to appoint.
Huckaby became the focus of Bryant’s ire Tuesday night after he asked for approval to replace one of his three deputies after one resigned. Bryant questioned why he needed so many deputies, but magistrates moved forward and approved the replacement.
Huckaby went to visit Bryant the following day to provide any details the judge might want to understand how his office works. The meeting didn’t go well, and later in the afternoon Huckaby returned to Bryant’s office with his letter of resignation.
The coroner is an elected position. By statute, the position is considered full time and the county must pay a minimum of $500 a month to the coroner. Adair County pays the minimum $500.
Huckaby has three deputies. They are each paid $325 a month. That puts salaries for the office at $17,700 a year, for an office where someone must be available 24 hours a day.
Last year, the office responded to around 80 death calls. They also sign cremation forms when someone from the county is cremated.
While 80 death calls may just average less than seven calls a month, either Huckaby or one of his deputies must be on the schedule to take calls at all times. There’s no leaving the county. If you are having dinner and get a call, you go.
Huckaby said he went to see Bryant to answer any questions he may have about the office. Instead, Bryant wanted to see his numbers and wanted to see his cases. He had no interest in how the office worked.
“It did get heated,” Huckaby said. “It didn’t get as heated as the (meeting) after (https://adairvoice.com/stories/deputies-get-combative-reception-during-visit-with-judge-bryant,63652). He didn’t cuss at me.”
Huckaby said the judge said they were not very busy and did no physical labor. Huckaby tried to explain the process and responsibilities the office has, which includes documentation, working with the medical examiner’s office, court proceedings, and more.
“Yesterday proves there is no respect,” Huckaby said. “I was talked to very disrespectfully. That’s a toxic environment. He doesn’t want to listen to people. I don’t think anybody should have to worry about anything like that. He doesn’t seem to want to listen to people. That was one big thing, and of course, the poor pay for all the hours you are on call.”
Huckaby is sad to leave the position and his resignation is effective Oct. 1, which is also when Sheriff Josh Brockman is resigning.
“I really appreciate my time with the county. It’s been an honor working for the Adair County people. I hate for it to end this way. It’s a really hard decision.
“I never thought our county would look the way it does today. I’ve never heard of a coroner resigning over a county judge executive.”
