MARION COUNTY — A Central City Police sergeant has announced he’s running for Marion County Coroner in the 2020 election.

Nicholas Heath is a lifelong resident of Marion County and graduated from Centralia High School. He�s the father of two boys and soon to be step-father of two more children after he marries his fiancee Jordan Renth in the fall.

Currently, Heath is a Sergeant with the Central City Police Department where he says he fills multiple roles such as the department’s Lead Homicide Investigator.

Heath has been a member of the Illinois Army National Guard out of Salem and started his law enforcement career as a dispatcher in 2000 for the Centralia Police Department before becoming a police officer for the City of Wamac, a seargent for the Irvington Police Department and an investigator and victim’s advocate for the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office.

He says that through his years as a police officer he has on multiple occasions had to deliver the unfortunate news to people of the passing of a loved one.

Heath notes that it is never an easy task, but he understands the importance of handling it with compassion, dignity, and respect.

Heath says he believes he’s qualified to serve Marion County as Coroner not just because of his professional experiences and background, but because of his character and his commitment to family and community.