Jefferson County Coroner Chad Kelley has officially announced his candidacy for an eighth term in office, bringing over two decades of experience and deep community ties to the role.
Kelley, who was first elected in 2008 and took office in 2009, has served seven terms as the county’s full-time coroner. His involvement with the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office began when he was just 16 years old. For the last 16 years, he has served as coroner, but his service goes back even further.
“Eight years prior to that, I worked for the previous coroner, Holly Watkins-Sperry, as her deputy coroner and office administrator for the first four years, then was appointed as her chief deputy coroner for the last four years,” Kelley explained in a news release.
In announcing his reelection bid, Kelley stated, “I am honored and humbled to announce my re-election bid for an eighth term as your Jefferson County Coroner. I am the most qualified person to be the Jefferson County Coroner due to the experience and training that I have received. I care greatly about the people of Jefferson County, the Coroner’s Office, and want to continue the procedures that have been in place since the coroner’s position was made full-time in 1978 by the Jefferson County Quorum Court.”
Kelley’s extensive qualifications include numerous training certifications and recognitions in forensic and death investigations. Among his accomplishments:
- Completed two-hour training in vital records registration for death certificates
- Completed 16-hour training in child injury investigation
- Completed 16-hour course in domestic-related homicides
- Completed chemical awareness training through the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program
- Graduated from both the Medicolegal Death Investigator and the Medicolegal Master’s Death Investigator courses at Saint Louis University School of Medicine
- Certified as an Arkansas medicolegal death investigator through the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy
- Completed four hours of training in forensic toxicology
Beyond his professional credentials, Kelley is deeply rooted in the community. A lifelong resident of Jefferson County, he was born in October 1976 to James R. “Rick” Kelley and Linda K. Tidwell-Kelley. He grew up in the Sulphur Springs area of Pine Bluff, graduated from Watson Chapel High School in 1995, and later graduated with honors from Southeast Arkansas College.
Kelley is also a past member of the Children’s Advocacy Center Committee and remains active in both the Arkansas Counties Coroners’ Association and the Jefferson County Democratic Central Committee.
As he seeks reelection, Kelley emphasizes his dedication to serving the people of Jefferson County with professionalism, compassion, and integrity.
