Cody Funke, Idaho County Coroner

I am pleased to recommend Dotti Owens, with whom I have worked since 2015.

When she was elected Ada County Coroner, and my office began contracting with her office for autopsy services. During her tenure, Ms. Owens was instrumental in modernizing rural coroner offices and bringing them into the 21st century by expanding access to online report‑generating software, a capability my office previously lacked.

In 2016, Ms. Owens and her team developed the curriculum that enabled the first group of Idaho coroners to obtain ABMDI certification. Even after leaving the Coroner’s Office in 2022, she has continued to be a vital presence in the lives of coroners across the state. She has collaborated with the Department of Health and Welfare to develop and deliver drug‑related training programs in coroners’ home jurisdictions, strengthening partnerships between coroners and law enforcement.

Ms. Owens remains active with the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners, where she serves on the board of directors. From the time she assumed office until her departure from the Ada County Coroner’s Office, she consistently served as a strong advocate and voice for local coroners. She served on both the executive and education boards of the Idaho Association of Coroners, helping to provide statewide training and meeting with legislators on key issues affecting coroners. Among the most significant issues she championed was improved PTSD support for coroners, an effort she continues to pursue today.