Mike Morris has announced his candidacy for Clearfield County Coroner.
Morris and his wife, Cathy, are life-long residents of Clearfield. They have two daughters, Christy and Kelley Jo and two grandchildren, Cassidy Jo and Nicholas.
The Morris’ are members of the West Side United Methodist Church. Morris has served on the church’s board of trustees.
Morris has also performed in and been involved with various performances at the Clearfield Arts Studio Theatre.
Morris attended the Clearfield Area High School. After his graduation in 1973, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps; he served until 1977.
During his service, Morris completed basic training at Parris Island and advanced training at Camp Pendleton and Norfolk Naval Station.
Morris served on the USS Saratoga with the Marine Security Detachment, where he completed missions in Cuba and a tour of duty in the Mediterranean.
After returning home from the U.S. Marine Corps, Morris was employed by the Clearfield Borough Police Department. He also served as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
Morris chose to expand his education and attended the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he studied criminal justice.
After college, he worked for an environmental consulting and chemical analytical company, where he was involved with hazardous material clean-ups, laboratory testing, field inspections, environmental safety and consulting. Morris performed duties with local HazMat agencies to aid in clean-up efforts; he also served as a liaison to simultaneously meet the needs of industry and citizens.
In 2001, Morris returned to law enforcement as a patrolman for the Lawrence Township Police Department, where he is currently employed. He served as a School Resource Officer at the Clearfield Middle School.
Morris found his position in the school to be an enlightening experience and continues to have a cordial relationship with many of the students who attended the Clearfield Middle School at the time.
Morris continues to volunteer for local schools by delivering educational presentations designed to prevent bullying, crime and drug abuse.
Morris is a trained martial artist and holds an eighth degree black belt in Goshin Jitsu. He holds black belts in jujitsu and oriental weapons. He was twice inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Morris has taught karate to adults and children for more than 30 years; he currently has a karate school in downtown Clearfield and teaches classes at the local YMCA.
Morris attended and graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Northwest Regional Academy. He also holds numerous certificates of training, including OSHA hazardous materials handler, basic and advanced SWAT, PA Top Gun Narcotics Operations, Active Shooter Training, Homeland Security WMD protective measures, Threat Assessment Training for School and many others.
Having lived and worked in the area for many years, Morris is well known to the police, fire and emergency response departments in Clearfield County. He has worked side by side with their members on many occasions.
He also understands the challenges facing members of the community and displays empathy, respect and professionalism when completing his duties and volunteering his time.
As Clearfield County Coroner, Morris has worked to strengthen the ties between the Coroner’s Office and the police, emergency medical services, fire and rescue personnel who are serving Clearfield County. He has worked with police and the District Attorney’s office in cases involving death by drug delivery. During his term in the Coroner’s Office, Morris has taken a proactive role in prevention of drug- and alcohol-related deaths.
If re-elected, Morris says he will continue to fulfill his duties effectively with compassion and professionalism. “Your support is greatly appreciated,” he says.
