Westmoreland County Coroner Ken Bacha seeks re-election

Kenneth A. Bacha, Westmoreland County’s longtime coroner, is seeking another term in the seat he has held for almost 20 years.

Bacha, 59, of Greensburg was first elected in 2001, taking over the department from his father Leo Bacha, who held the post for nearly 24 years. Ken Bacha worked as a deputy coroner in the office for two years prior to winning the seat. He is running for his sixth four-year term.

Since Bacha took office in 2002, he said there have been more than 39,000 death investigations conducted and 2,800 autopsies. In 2020, Bacha oversaw about 3,500 cases, a record for the department, according to coroner statistics.

Bacha, a Democrat, noted accomplishments during his tenure such as helping to establish the Westmoreland County Forensic Center in 2014 and bringing autopsies to the Hempfield facility. Dr. Cyril H. Wecht and Associates has rented space there since 2017 to perform autopsies, resulting in a cost savings for taxpayers.

During the past year, Bacha has kept tabs on coronavirus-related deaths in the county, keeping updated statistics on the department’s website since early on in the pandemic. He touted the website — which details statistics on deaths in the county — as an achievement during his time in office.

Bacha said he has developed community awareness programs that are presented to schools, civic groups and first responders. He is deputy assistant chief of Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department, a licensed funeral director, emergency medical technician and member of both the Westmoreland County Hazmat Team and the Westmoreland County Team 211 Rough Terrain Support Unit.

Bacha has a wife, two daughters, a stepdaughter and a granddaughter.