First challenger for coroner in 16 years

Paul Thompson, M.D. Paul Thompson, M.D., of Langley, launched his campaign for the office of Island County Coroner last week.

Thompson’s candidacy marks the first time in 16 years that voters will be given a choice on their ballots.

“A choice of strong candidates competing for our elected offices is great for democracy. Everybody benefits,” Thompson said.

A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Dr. Thompson spent a year of his medical education immersed in pathology and assisting at autopsy in the department of America’s best-known coroner, Dr. Cyril Wecht.

While training in eye surgery, Thompson continued to participate in surgical and post-mortem pathological analysis. He has practiced clinical medicine in the U.S. and in Saudi Arabia.

“The challenges of clinical medicine are much like the challenges of being coroner. Coroners and clinicians alike are called upon to gather information, diagnose accurately, and act decisively—all with an abiding human compassion for victim and family,” Thompson said.

“Caring for my fellow humans is a calling that chose me many years ago. Although the county coroner is chosen by partisan election, a coroner must set himself above politics. It’s all about service to the community,” she said.

Dr. Thompson welcomes challenges. Although a civilian, he remained at his post in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, while under repeated deadly missile attacks by Saddam Hussain during Operation Desert Storm.

Both pre- and post-war, he participated in Desert Outreach programs, opening his home to American service personnel for a hot shower, a hot meal, and a phone call to loved ones back home. Some years later, he triaged American troops injured in the Khobar Towers terrorist bombing.

After settling in Island County, Dr. Thompson organized the Useless Bay neighborhood, spearheading a six-year community effort to persuade the county commissioners to ban gunfire on Deer Lagoon.

“At least two of my neighbors had been hit by birdshot during hunting season. Clearly, we had a public safety problem in need of attention. I regret that hunters are faced with dwindling options, but times have changed.”

Thompson recognizes that times are hard and the county must cut costs.

“State law compels much of what the coroner does, but that does not excuse him from finding ways to spend fewer of his neighbors’ hard-earned tax dollars. For a long-term, unchallenged incumbent grown used to doing things according to entrenched routines, it becomes difficult to identify opportunities to do more with less.”

A lifelong Democrat, Thompson said that politics was never an issue in his practice and will never influence the way he fulfills his professional responsibilities.

“Being a Democrat speaks to my convictions in improving the quality of life for my fellow islanders and protecting the environment.”

Dr. Thompson and his wife (a nurse working in Oak Harbor) have lived on the southend of Whidbey Island for nine years. Their son Erick has served three tours of duty with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.