CCSO announces new senior deputy coroner

Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong has announced the appointment of a new senior deputy coroner at the sheriff’s office in conjunction with an organ donation awareness campaign.

Pettie Braninburg was appointed to replace retiring Senior Coroner Ruth Rhines, who had filled the position of coroner at the sheriff’s office for more than 21 years.

In a press release, the sheriff said Braninburg, a former nurse, has been with the coroner’s office since 2018 and brings “a great deal of knowledge, experience and credit to the office.”

“Ms. Braninburg’s appointment takes place coincidently along with National Organ Donation Awareness Month,” reads the release. “She, along with her deputies, would like to bring further awareness and education to the donation process and help educate the community about organ, eye and tissue gifts of life.”

According to the release, Braninburg encourages people “to give serious consideration to this powerful, wonderful lifesaving capacity that we all possess.”

“We are all placed at an advantage when we give forethought to becoming a lifesaving donor and take the necessary steps of communicating our wishes to our family and friends,” reads the release. “This attention allows families to respond timely and confidently on the behalf of loved ones at the grief-stricken time of death.”

The coroner’s office can assist with organ, eye and tissue donations by being the communications conduit between the family and donor services during difficult times, according to CCSO.

“Braninburg said that death notifications are made by our staff to donor services, who will then reach out to the surviving family or next-of-kin to initiate the donation process,” reads the release. “The process does not place a monetary burden upon the family, but instead may lessen any angst that they may have regarding the honoring of hero wishes.”

Furlong welcomed Braninburg and thanked the long career of Rhines for “making Carson City a better place.”