The position with the most job security in the National Football League is probably the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. At the Erie County Court House, that position would be Erie County Coroner.

This month, Lyell Cook begins his 25th year in office as Erie County Coroner. Merle Wood, his predecessor and mentor, served 40 years from 1960 to the 2000. Mr. Wood took over from his father who served as coroner for 17 years from 1943 to 1960. Only three people have officially sat in this seat since World War II.

"I appreciate the trust that the people of Erie County have put in me. Of course, it's not like they're lining up outside the door to get in here,” says Coroner Cook.

It has been rare over the decades that the sitting Erie County Coroner was opposed on the November ballot. Of course, it's a job that most people would not be able to handle. There's the autopsies. There's the sadness that families experience while dealing with the coroner's office. Some people may think their coroner would be serious and grim all the time. Not Lyell Cook. The Erie County Coroner has a wonderful sense of humor.

"We have to be very careful how you handle things but at the same time I can't walk around with a long face,” he says.

This coroner performs standup comedy for the annual Laughter in the Limelight fund raiser that benefits Erie's mental health agencies. He's a natural at the mic. He gives me an example from one of his sets.

"I said something about the food there. Is the food good? Everyone of course clapped. And I said, 'Well Good, I brought the cold cuts.”

Coroner Cook has also performed in the ring as a guest for John McChesney's professional wrestling shows.

"I am the Coronator,” says the coroner.

He dresses up as the stereotypical coroner wearing a black suit and big black hat. He's done casket matches where the loser gets thrown in a casket. He's done body bag matches. He would like to do it again. As far as being coroner, he says he will keep doing that too.

"So, I'm going to hang in there as long as I can,” says Coroner Cook. “I often said it would be nice to go with my boots on."

Coroner Cook says he may write a book someday. He has already picked out a title. He would call the book, Cookie's Crumbs, Tales From the Dark Side.