CHARLES HUNT, 1947-2014

Ex-Toledo police officer a coroner’s investigator

3/10/2014
BY JIM SIELICKI
BLADE STAFF WRITER

Charles “Charlie” Hunt, a retired Lucas County coroner’s investigator who also served 32 years in the Toledo Police Department, much of it in the detective bureau, died on March 7 at ProMedica St. Luke’s Hospital in Maumee.

Mr. Hunt, 67, fought colon cancer for 11 years, retiring from the coroner’s office in 2012, said Elaine Hunt, his wife of 14 years.

His career and life revolved around public service.

Shortly after graduating from Woodward High School in 1965, he entered the Toledo police academy. He played football while in high school, his wife said.

Mr. Hunt joined the police department in 1969. He was promoted to sergeant in 1976 and to lieutenant in 1981, when he was 34.

Most of his career was spent in the detective bureau.

He was a graduate of the FBI National Academy, a professional development program for law enforcement officers from the United States and abroad.

He retired from the police department in 2001, but was unwilling to settle back at his four-acre property in Monclova Township, and soon took a job at the Lucas County Coroner’s Office, where he worked as an investigator for 11 years, his wife said.

“He was a person who couldn’t sit still. He had to keep going,” she said.

The job with the coroner’s office was a natural fit and he knew most of the people there from his work as a police detective investigating homicides and violent crimes, his wife said.

Dr. James Patrick, Lucas County coroner, called Mr. Hunt “an old-school” officer.

“Charlie was a very able investigator who came to us with a lot of experience from TPD, and he carried that over to us,” said Dr. James Patrick, Lucas County coroner.

Coroner’s investigators are called to the scenes of nonaccidental deaths, focusing on homicides, suicides, and suspicious deaths.

Their work involves close cooperation with law enforcement agencies, Dr. Patrick said.

A coroner’s investigator coordinates the removal of bodies and work with crime-scene investigators, Dr. Patrick said.

Mrs. Hunt said the investigative work, particularly involving the deaths of children, carried an emotional burden.

When returning home, he frequently would retreat to his yard and garden, which included roses.

“He didn’t want to talk about it, and I didn’t push it,” Mrs. Hunt said.

Mr. Hunt was born March 2, 1947, in Toledo to Charles and Janet Hunt. His marriage to the former Linda Kujawa ended in divorce.

Mr. Hunt is survived by his second wife, Elaine Hunt; brother John; sister Kay Buchanan; sons Charles and William Hunt; daughters Lori O’Brien and Carrie Sautter; his first wife, Linda Hunt; stepson Steve Kokocinski; stepdaughter Cathy Stienke; 11 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

His funeral will be private, but a celebration of his life will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the American Legion post, 6910 Providence St., Whitehouse.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society.

The Cremation Society of Toledo handled the arrangements.

Contact: Jim Sielicki at: jsielicki@theblade.com or 419-724-6050.