When not performing about 1,500 autopsies a year, the staff at the Clark County Coroner’s Office in Las Vegas is apparently taking a recreational break by doing it all it can to squeeze the last amount of cash from people- alive if not dead.
Tucked aways from the casual visitor and not on any Web site, is their unique “gift shop-“ a small section of a glass trophy case, about four by six feet, containing an odd, disturbing array of things for sale including shirts, pants, paperweights, jacket patches and hoodies, all with the “Clark County Coroner’s Office” logo; T-shirts with a tag “Cashed out in Las Vegas,”; souvenir license plates, “Stolen from Clark County Coroner” pens; and even cuff bracelets with inspirational sayings such as “Embrace life one day at a time” or “Believe in yourself.” There is even coffee mugs with the saying, “Here’s where you’re at when the line goes flat” and a business card holder where the bottom half is a jawbone.
Clearly, they have a sense of humor, though many would say it’s morbid and twisted.
They say they stole the idea from the larger and equally morbid Los Angeles Coroner’s gift shop.
They also say that all revenue goes towards offsetting the costs of the Coroner’s Visitation Program, a court-order class for at-risk youth. Mmmmm.
Even their staff proudly wears the gear including their boss, Clark County Coroner Michael Murphy, who bought a coroner’s badge lapel pin, not just because he wanted to help out, mind you, but really because he said he likes shiny things that look official.
Best hurry on down there and get a present or two for your loved ones for the holidays.
Vegas Backstage Access (VBA) 