Jim is a lifelong resident of Kenton County. He graduated from Dixie Heights High School. He was a member of the Covington Fire Department for 28 years and served as an EMT and Paramedic, which including being responsible for an ambulance. He was a certified American Heart Association C.P.R. instructor as well as a Kentucky State Fire Service Instructor. He taught and recertified EMT’s for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He also assisted the pathologist at the hospital on autopsies. For 15 years, he was a Police Specialist for the City of Taylor Mill and received his Law Enforcement certification from Northern Kentucky University.
He has served as a Deputy Coroner for 39 years and Chief Deputy for 30 years. He received his Coroner certification at Eastern Kentucky University and has been an advanced and master coroner since 2005, the highest certification that can be achieved in the Coroner's Office.