OLYMPIA – Today Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock announced the appointment of Traci McCullah as Chief Deputy Coroner. The first to serve in this position since the 1990’s. 

“I am a bit excited about this announcement! She is the first Chief Deputy to serve this office since the 90’s after the position was originally eliminated. Traci joined our team in 2017 with a background in death investigations,” Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock said. 

“She joined with a strong desire to learn more about our field of work so she may better serve this office, our first responders, health care providers, our communities, but more importantly, the families we serve. She excels in every task assigned to her and has proven herself to be trustworthy and a leader amongst her peers who look up to her for direction, encouragement, and support,” he added.

This exciting announcement comes after a collaboration with the Coroner and the Board of County Commissioners. In early January 2025 the Board of County Commissioners approved the reclassification of a position to Chief Deputy which made the appointment a possibility, with minimal financial impact to the office’s budget. 

“Traci will play a key role in assisting me in the day-to-day operations of the office, while also preparing this office for accreditation to meet the standards set by the International Association of Coroners & Medical Examiners (IACME),” Warnock added.

“A new state law, RCW 36.24.210, requires accreditation starting in July 2025 for our County Coroner’s offices to continue receiving full reimbursements from the State of Washington for autopsies,” said Tye Menser, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. “We support Coroner Warnock’s efforts to meet the new requirements and maintain State funding.”

The Coroner's Office offer compassionate support to individuals and family members at the scene and/or upon notification of a death and provide complete and comprehensive investigative documentation to ascertain an accurate determination of cause and manner of death, within the jurisdiction of Thurston County.

“Supporting the Coroner’s Office to better serve our community is a priority for the Board. The appointment of Traci McCullah as Chief Deputy is a positive step in enhancing the office’s effectiveness and responsiveness,” said Wayne Fournier, Thurston County Commissioner.

Commissioner Carolina Mejia added, “Our coroner, Gary Warnock, and his team already operate with high professional standards, and we fully support their plan to gain accreditation to maintain full state reimbursement. It’s part of the Board’s ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility.” 

 “Congratulations to Traci McCullah on her appointment as Chief Deputy Coroner, a role vital to ensuring the highest standards of accountability and service in our community,” said Commissioner Emily Clouse. “This decision underscores the county’s commitment to supporting families in their most vulnerable moments by upholding excellence in forensic investigations and care. We are grateful for the dedication and leadership demonstrated by the Coroner’s Office in pursuing accreditation, which will strengthen trust and ensure access to critical resources for Thurston County.”

“The Coroner’s Office plays a vital role in our community, ensuring thorough investigations into unexpected and suspicious deaths in Thurston County. We appreciate Gary’s dedication to serving the living through this important work. We strongly support the appointment of a Chief Deputy Coroner and the pursuit of accreditation to uphold the highest standards of service and accountability,” added Commissioner Rachel Grant.

To learn more about the Thurston County Coroner and their important work please visit: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/departments/coroner/about-tcco.