Cooper Statement Regarding the Arrest of State Medical Examiner

"At approximately at 10:30 a.m. today, I was notified by officials in Mississippi of the arrest of Dr. Bruce Levy on felony drug charges. Dr. Levy is not an employee of the state. He serves as state medical examiner under a contract with the state Department of Health.

“The Department of Health is taking immediate action to terminate its contract with Dr. Levy for these services. In the interim, as Health Commissioner, I will name an acting state medical examiner to carry out the duties of the position.

"It is of great importance to me that the continuity of services provided by the state medical examiners be maintained. With that in mind, I will move as quickly as possible to ensure this is the case.”

Commissioner Susan Cooper
Tennessee Department of Health