AMERICUS – Bobby Hancock-Harris of Americus has announced his candidacy for the office of Sumter County coroner. In making this announcement, he issues the following:

“I’m Bobby Hancock-Harris and it would be an honor to serve Sumter County as coroner. I have certified training in mass fatality incidents with FEMA as well as mass casualty terrorism preparedness with GEMA. Before entering the death care profession, I was registered with the Georgia Secretary of State’s Department of Private Detective/ Private Security Agencies Division. I received technical training as a private security officer, a plain clothes store detective, and weapons training for work as an attendant armored car money transfers.”

“I was trained, both professionally and personally by the very best: my father-in-law, Larry Hancock, a former Sumter County coroner and long-time funeral director in Americus; and my mother-in-law, Mary Louise Hancock, a retired educator and long-time funeral director in Americus.”

“With over 42 years working in death care, I am well versed in the policies and procedures involving the Georgia GBI Division of Forensic Sciences, Life-Link, and body donations.”

“Over the past three years, the coroner’s office budget has sky-rocketed. If elected coroner, I guarantee I can lower this budget, and save the taxpayers thousands of dollars, while providing the same level of service.”

“If elected to the office of coroner, I would work to put into place policies and procedures to make the administration of the office transparent. I pledge that I would work diligently to maintain the public’s trust and confidence, again, with complete administrative transparency.”

“I believe that I am qualified for this position and that I have experience, compassion, interpersonal skills, and willingness to listen and learn, all of which are qualities necessary to serve as a more adept and efficient coroner.”

“The Georgia Coroners Association describes a coroner as a government official whose main responsibility is to determine and officially record the manner and cause of deaths that are unexplained and unexpected as well as investigating and determining cause and manner of death. The coroner’s office is charged by Georgia law to determine the cause and manner of death by an extensive investigation. This investigation is independent of the sheriff, police, and fire department, but is done in conjunction with these other entities.”

“I am a graduate of Berean College, where I majored in specialized ministries, and I held ministerial credentials with the Assemblies of God. I also graduated with honors from Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service. I am a licensed funeral director and embalmer as well a member of Pi Sigma Eta National Morticians Fraternity. My wife and I own and operate Hancock Funeral Home on South Lee Street, which recently celebrated its 58th anniversary. I serve as CEO and general manager.”

“I am present Master of M.B. Lodge 13, a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, a position which I have held several times over the years, working with our main charity, the Georgia Masonic Children’s Home. I am also president of the Sumter Shrine Club, working with Shriners Children’s Hospitals. I conduct and officiate Masonic funeral burial rites for families of Masons requesting such, and am involved in various other community and professional activities, events, and organizations, including Georgia Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, Academy of Graduate Embalmers of Georgia, and the Military Vehicle Preservation Association, and many other York and Scottish Rite Masonic Organizations.”

“I moved to Americus from Atlanta in 1992 when my wife and I were married, and am proud to call Sumter County my home. I have been married for 31 years to Lynn Hancock Harris, a Sumter County native and lifelong resident, former Sumter County educator, and herself a licensed funeral director and embalmer. We are very proud of our children: Angela Harris, Jairus Whitley, and Tatum (Whitley) Sprinkle; son-in-law Matthew Sprinkle, our grandchildren: Gabe, Nikki, Riley, Brooke, and our newest addition, Zoey Lynn; and two great-grandchildren, Rose and Renee.”

“Sumter County is my home, where I live, work and chose to raise my family. I cannot imagine a greater honor than being able to serve this community which has given so much to me. Please ask for the republican ballot, and vote Bobby Hancock-Harris for Coroner.”

“Please feel free to contact me at any time at my office (229-924-3645) or on my cell phone (229-938-1538).”