FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A memorial service was held on Friday for Fresno County’s Chief Forensic Pathologist.
Dr. Venu Gopal died in a collision on Highway 168 on Saturday, August 27, 2022.
The memorial service for Dr. Gopal was live streamed on the Fresno County Sheriff’s Facebook page.
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, and Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp were just some of the city leaders and community members attending the service held at 10:00a.m. Friday morning at the Cross City Christian Church at 2777 E Nees Ave in Fresno.
“The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and our community has suffered an enormous loss. Dr. Venu Gopal was an amazing man who performed incredible work during his 30 year career at the Coroner’s Office. He helped provide much needed answers to grieving families and also contributed to delivering justice to loved ones in mourning. We wish to thank Dr. Gopal for his service. He will be greatly missed. God Bless he and his family.”
-Fresno County Sheriff’s Office
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office released the following background information: Doctor Venu Gopal served as the Chief Forensic Pathologist for the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. He began his career with Fresno County in 1992. He received his medical license after graduating from Bangalore Medical University, Kamataka State, India. He came to the United States in the 80s and completed his residency in pathology at St. Vincent’s Medical Center of Richmond, Staten Island, NY.
Doctor Gopal was well-known throughout the medical community and was considered a leading authority in his field. He was the co-chair for the PDRC (Pediatric Death Review Committee), a member of the Traumatic Audit Committee and Elder Abuse Committee. He taught anatomy, physiology and forensic aspects of an autopsy to paramedics, nurses, anatomy students, criminology students and medical assistants. He periodically hosted Emergency Room doctors during their residency for their forensic training requirements.
On average, Fresno County has 7,500 deaths per year. Of those, roughly 4,000 are reported to the Coroner’s Office. This produces an average of 1,000 death investigations which require a doctor’s exam. Doctor Gopal’s work ethic is unmatched. It was not uncommon for him to work seven days a week for months at a time. He contributed to Fresno County Sheriff’s Office mission through exceptional dedication, initiative, passion, motivation and the high level of service he provided to the citizens of Fresno County.
In 2020, Dr. Gopal was honored as being the Sheriff’s Office Employee of the Year. During the height of the pandemic, he served as the Coroner Office’s lone forensic pathologist because our other forensic pathologist retired at the end of 2019. Dr. Gopal performed approximately 350 autopsies and 500 external exams during 2020 alone.
Doctor Gopal was also very involved in his community. He dedicated a large portion of his free time to his temple and held a position within the temple that required his daily involvement. His hard work and dedication to his profession and the community will always serve as an example for others to follow.
-Fresno County Sheriff’s Office
Dr. Gopal is survived by his wife and two children.
For more information or to see how you could make any donations or contributions, please visit the link below.
https://www.chapelofthelight.com/obituaries/Venu-Gopal/#!/TributeWall
Listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern.
