CANDIDATE PROFILES: Sanders County Coroner

NAME: Pat Barber

EDUCATION: State of Montane POST Certified Coroner, Associates Degree in General Studies, Associate Degree in Automotive and Diesel Technology, Preparatory Training in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Anatomy, Physiology, Phlebotomy, EMT/Medicine, Crime Scene Investigation Techniques, Death and Dying, Psycho-Social applications. American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (2022 Certification in process). Federal Aviation Administration Airframe and Powerplant licensed. 20 years United States Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter aircrewman.

OCCUPATION: Sanders County Coroner

What qualities make you the best candidate for the job? I have dedicated the last 30 years of my career rescuing people or coming to the aid of individuals experiencing a medical emergency, trauma, or an accident. I have served all ages, from birth to geriatric. Losing someone close to you is difficult, no matter what the circumstances are. I have personal lost many immediate family members, as well as several close friends in Aviation that died tragically while trying to care for or rescue someone else. I can empathize with the feelings of loss, and I consider it a privilege to help others in their time of need.

NAME: Martin Spring 

EDUCATION: USMC Military Police School Huntsville, Alabama. Associate of Arts Degree Police Science Dawson Community College. Bachelor of Science Degree in Law Enforcement Sam Houston State University 

1665 hours Law Enforcement training through Montana Law Enforcement Academy. Basic, Intermediate, Advance, Supervisors Certified Montana Law Enforcement Academy. 293 hours Law Enforcement death investigations through Montana Law enforcement Academy.

OCCUPATION: Detective Sanders County Sheriff’s Office 

What qualities make you the best candidate for this position? I have over 30 years of Law Enforcement and have extensive training through the Montana Law Enforcement academy with over 293 hours in Death and Homicide investigation. I have worked for the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office as a Detective for almost 18 years and investigated 14 homicides and 6 attempted homicides and unattended deaths with this department. I believe I bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to this job and want to continue to serve my community. It is important to the families of this community to know that if you have a family member pass it will be professionally and properly investigated. It is also very important to have empathy towards family members that are dealing with the loss of a family member. I will provide leadership to the Deputy Coroners to ensure that this empathy is realized in every case we handle in Sanders County.