James Nettles, the chief of police of Foster Township and former Schuylkill County chief deputy coroner, is seeking the Democratic nomination to the office of coroner in the May 19 primary election.

Nettles, a lifelong resident of the Minersville area, lives in Branch Township with his wife, Lucy (Campion).Nettles wants to restore focus on the coroner's office as an investigative agency. As an experienced investigator, Nettles recognizes the necessity and value of professional procedure in producing accurate findings. The coroner's office operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and requires constant and immediate direct contact and supervision.Establishment of a permanent location for the coroner's office in a county-owned building is a must. The county has spent thousands of taxpayer dollars on rent, refurbishment of rental space and unnecessary items.Nettles graduated from the former Cass Township High School and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving four years during the Vietnam conflict. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice, in addition to an Associate of Arts degree in Community Services.He joined the Pennsylvania State Police in 1971, serving as a state trooper for over 30 years, retiring in 2002 as a Criminal Unit Supervisor. During his tenure with the state police, he served in the patrol, crime, and vice/narcotics bureaus, and was assigned as Deputy U.S. Marshall, working with the DEA on complex cases.In January 2008 Nettles was appointed chief deputy coroner, serving until January 2012. In this capacity, he supervised all deputy coroners in Schuylkill County. He managed all day-to-day operations and provided oversight and expertise to investigations. He has an extensive professional background and provided key testimony in local, state and federal court cases. He attended hundreds of autopsies during his law enforcement career. He has taught criminal justice at McCann School of Business and Technology, Pottsville, for the past 10 years.Nettles has attended numerous training courses. His background knowledge as investigator, educator, when combined with his professional experience with state and local police, will allow him to fulfill the duties of coroner in the highest professional manner.