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Farris Marcum has been Lincoln County’s Coroner for 22 years. 

In that time, Marcum has seen a lot of pain, and has helped countless families through some of the hardest moments in their life. 

It’s a job that usually requires him to be on call 24 hours, seven days a week, and it’s work that not many people want to do. 

Marcum’s dedication to the profession, as well as his work statewide for the Kentucky Coroner’s Association, was recently recognized during the organization’s annual conference during the last week of April. 

The award is called the “Wolfe Award” and is given in memory of the late David J. Wolfe, who was the first forensic anthropologist employed by the Kentucky State Medical Examiner’s Program. 

It is considered the most prestigious honor an individual can receive from the Kentucky Coroner’s Association, according to a press release, for outstanding services in the Coroner/Medical examination program in the state. 

Marcum serves on the Board of Directors for the Kentucky Coroner’s Association and is on the legislative committee. 

“I am very humbled. That really surprised me,” Marcum said. 

Since becoming involved with the association, Marcum has helped keep up with legislation that could help or hurt coroners do their job. Recently, his efforts have been focused on making sure coroners across the state receive fair compensation and pay for the hard work that they are doing in their communities. 

The award represents the association’s high esteem for Marcum’s untiring efforts. 

Marcum had no idea he was receiving the award. 

“My family snuck up there and they were getting ready to present it and they had this slideshow and there was a picture of me when I was a baby,” he said. “It’s an honor.” 

Marcum said it’s a gift to serve the citizens of Lincoln County. 

“It’s a gift that I’m able to serve our community and it’s an honor to serve here,” he said. “Bill Demrow, my mentor, he taught me well. I’m very humbled and very honored to serve as Coroner in Lincoln County. I don’t take the job lightly. I try to do the best I can and serve our families – I say our families because it’s families, it’s people’s loved ones.”