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Micheal is a Washington State native who was raised in Cowlitz County, but he chose Lewis County as his home over 36 years ago.

He served four years in the Navy before his 21st birthday and shortly after his discharge he joined the Oxnard California Police Department where he served as a Patrolman, a Detective and a Narcotics and Vice Officer.

At age 28 he joined the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, our present day Drug Enforcement Administration, (DEA) as a Special Agent in Los Angeles. As a DEA Agent he also served in Washington DC, Turkey, Afghanistan, Little Rock, Arkansas, New York City and Cyprus before finally getting his dream assignment in Seattle, which put him close enough to his Mossyrock Timberland that he was able to start preparing it for his retirement. He retired in 1994 and moved to his home in Lewis County in 1997.

Since 2000, Micheal and his wife Carol have been conducting National Security Background Investigations on contract for the Federal Government. They both maintain the Top Secret Clearances required for the contracts.

Having served 32 year as an active law enforcement officer and 13 years of his DEA career in the Middle East, Micheal brings us a unique perspective on our world today. He has been there and participated as an Undercover Agent in both our war on drugs and terrorism.

Micheal's current law enforcement affiliations include;

Lewis County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, President

International Police Association, Vice President for Southwest, Washington.

Centralia College Criminal Justice Advisory Board, Member

International Association of Chiefs of Police, Life Member

International Narcotics Enforcement Officer's Association, Member

Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Member

Association of Certified Background Investigators, Charter Member

DEA Museum Foundation Inner Circle

Oxnard Police Alumni Association, Member

His other affiliations are

National Rifle Association, Life Member

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Member

North American Fisherman, Life Member

Northwest Natural Resource Group, Member

Lewis County Farm Bureau, Member

Lewis County Farm Forestry Association, Member

Pacific Northwest Writers Association

He is a published author of "I Solemnly Swear; Conmen, DEA, the Media and Pan Am 103."

Endorsed by

* The Fraternal Order of Police

* Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association

* Lewis County Farm Bureau

*Washington State Farm Bureau

* Lewis County Sheriff William Logan (retired)

* Lewis County Sheriff William H. Wiester (retired)

*Lewis County Commissioner Lee Grose

*Lewis County Commissioner Bill Schulte

* Cowlitz County Coroner Tim Davidson

* Current and Retired Law Enforcement Officers & Firefighters

* Thousands of Lewis County Voters

" We need a full-time Coroner, Vote Hurley" Sept 23, 2010.

This is in response to Ian Ricker’s letter Sept. 16, headlined “Surprise! Fraternal Group Endorses Leader” (page Main 6)

The real surprise would have been having the Fraternal Order of Police endorse Warren McLeod, since he has told us that his passion is teaching. He told us he will keep his full time job, in Olympia, teaching

Micheal Hurley has consistently committed to the people of Lewis County that he would be available 24/7.

As first responders, and crime scene investigators, we know how important it is to have a coroner who will be able to dedicate all of his time to the job as coroner. It is very clear that McLeod would not be able to do this and do to his full-time job in academia. So, yes, Mr. Ricker, Hurley is clearly more dedicated and qualified then McLeod.

The only thing we know about McLeod is that he showed up in Lewis County about a year ago and decided to run for coroner.

His claim of 5,000-plus death investigations sounded impressive until he told us that he simply collected information at the scene, notified the next of kin, and anything more than that had to be turned over to a senior investigator, a position he was not able to attain after 10 years and 8 months. He remained an entry-level investigator. He has never held a position in management or supervision.

This election is for the coroner who manages the office and supervises a team of death scene investigators. It is not for an entry level position.

We in the Fraternal Order of Police know Hurley, his long-time dedication to Lewis County and his qualifications as a manager, supervisor and leader.

The citizens of Lewis County do not need another absentee coroner who simply collects a pay check. That is exactly what McLeod is offering, since his full-time teaching job in Olympia will not allow him to be available to Lewis County when he is needed.

The Fraternal Order of Police was correct in endorsing its leader. To do otherwise would have been a disservice to the citizens of Lewis County.

Gary Prochorow - Morton WA.

" Would McLeod be a Full-Time Coroner?"

Sept 22, 2010

The Lewis County Coroner’s Office has been steeped in controversy for years. Incompetence has been the least of many accusations leveled at the county service by some Lewis County citizens.

Now we have a choice between two new candidates who both seem qualified to do the job. In my opinion, The Chronicle should ask the candidates for coroner’s office very specifically how they would prevent further corruption of services to the public by the office if elected.

I have heard candidate Mike Hurley speak, and he said he would make the job of coroner his full-time job. I would like to know if opposing candidate, Warren McLeod, is also planning to make the title of Lewis County coroner his full-time job, or will he hold an additional job like current coroner Terry Wilson has all these years.

It would appear that an inordinate amount of responsibility was placed on the shoulders of the deputy coroner, due to the dual employment situation of Wilson. This may have contributed to the decline of the office. This situation does not need to be repeated by the new coroner.

The restoration of the reputation of the coroner’s office is going to take a full-time commitment from the person appointed by the voters. The amount of restructure and housecleaning needed is going to require a person willing to sacrifice a considerable amount of time in order not to repeat the institutionalized blundering associated with the previous coroner’s office.

I would like to know precisely how each candidate would execute his particular plan. Will McLeod devote himself entirely to the office or will he treat it as a second job such as Terry Wilson did as the office slid into controversy and mayhem?

Sona Markholt

Mossyrock

It's simple! Please read on.

Hurley has committed to be our coroner, to be available 24/7. He will not be another absentee coroner.

Hurley has over 36 years in law enforcement as a full time professional investigator. His case load included homicide, suicide, traffic and accidental deaths, and all forms of natural deaths. He worked those cases from start to finish. He understands how to complete the most advanced and complicated investigations, because has has done them. He did not have to turn them over to a senior investigator when they became too complex.

Hurley has over two decades of management, supervisory, and leadership experience in

professional law enforcement investigations. Since his early days in the Navy, Hurley has received

countless commendations and recognitions for his management and supervision of people and the resources of his position.

Hurley has owned property in Lewis County for over 36 years and lives on his ranch in Mossyrock. He knows the people of Lewis County, understands who they are, and the unique lifestyle we all enjoy in rural Lewis County.

The Coroners job is not just to do basic death scene investigations, it's so much more. It's being able to investigate from start to finish the most complicated and advanced death scenes. It's about running the Coroners Office, putting together a team of well trained professionals to ensure the job and the people are treated professionally and with respect.

Micheal will bring respect and dignity to the office of The Lewis County Coroner. He will be there for you when you need him.

Help us elect,

"The Right Man for the Right Reasons."