'It's not a job, it's an opportunity to be involved:' Coroner transporter recognized by county
Heat waves radiated off of every road in Lucerne Valley one hot, 108-degree Thursday afternoon.
John Diaz and his son Daniel had the AC on full blast in the company van. They were on their first call of the day, an 11 a.m. corpse pick-up.
The Diaz group arrives on scene after they're called by the coroner's office. First, they encounter the grieving survivors. They invoke empathy and compassion as they do their job.
"There are a lot of emotions. We get there and we don't really know what's going on," John said. "Our job is to pick up the family's loved one as professionally as we can and treat them with as much care as we possibly can. Am I used to it? I don't think I can ever get used to it. I just have to stay focused and professional."
John wasn't shy to admit that he even breaks down on some calls. "You're not human if you don't."
They closed the first case and then headed to the second call of the day in 115-degree Barstow afternoon heat. Unfortunately, the heat brings good business for the Diaz family's All-in-One Transportation business.
The Victorville family duo is known by both San Bernardino County and past clients for going above and beyond what's required of a body pick-up service.
John and Daniel specialize in violent and suspicious deaths, particularly suicide, homicide, and fatal traffic accidents. They're hired for their transportation services but have stayed to clean up the scene of the crime more often than not so the family doesn't have to deal with the mess themselves, John told the Daily Press.
Crime scene clean-up isn't in their job title, but it's an act that prompted their recent recognition from the San Bernardino County Sheriff Coroner’s Department. They were also recognized by the county for offering multiple transportation services from the morgue back to the High Desert free of charge for families who couldn't foot the $600 bill.
The family business
John got his foot in the industry door by doing non-emergency medical transport for other companies. Owning his own business was always on the radar and he finally got involved with the coroner's office 19 years ago with Med Cab, Inc., now All-In-One-Transport.
He was the only vendor for the entire county during COVID-19 from May 2021 until 2023 and was working non-stop during that precarious time, he said.
John and son's transportation area includes all of the High Desert and extends to Needles and Trona on the Arizona and Nevada borders as well. They take the remains to the San Bernardino sheriff coroner’s morgue seven days a week.
Contrary to popular belief, John was never interested in the afterlife growing up. He never wanted to be a coroner and he wasn't interested in medical school. His adolescence would involve sports and pool trips instead of visits to the cemetery or visits to the Museum of Death.
"Working for the coroner's office as a vendor isn't a job," John said, "it's an opportunity to be involved with families and give back to the community, whether that's a kind word or even just a hug."
His son Daniel has been in business for three years.
Growing up around his dad's work, he grew curious about the occupation and soon joined him for a few years. His calling is sports journalism, but he's taken to the transport job "real good" according to his dad.
Catalina Diaz, daughter of John, expressed her admiration for her father to the Daily Press.
"He's an exceptional member of our Victorville community and it's no wonder he and Daniel have been acknowledged for their outstanding work ethic and unparalleled empathy toward our community.
Their level of compassion and dedication to those in distress has made a significant impact on many families during their most vulnerable times.The acknowledgment from the sheriff coroner’s department underscores the vital role that John plays in our community, blending professionalism with a human touch that offers solace and support when it is needed most."
San Bernardino County Capt. Victor Moreno also spoke to Diaz's work ethic.
"The Coroner’s Office commends All-in-One Transportation Company for their exceptional service, care and compassion," he said. "They often transport suicide victims to our office and their sensitive and professional approach provides crucial support to families during incredibly difficult times. We deeply appreciate their dedication to this critical service, and we value our partnership."
Do you have an outstanding High Desert resident or business in mind that's worthy of a feature? Email McKenna Mobley at mmobley@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Local corpse transporter recognized for outstanding work
