At the morgues, Malcolm supervised an international crew of forensic investigators, police officers, firefighters and other rescue personnel who prepared bodies for transport home.

Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines said Malcolm called him Sunday, describing difficulties cutting through the bureaucratic red tape. "He was having a few problems getting set up and he asked me to contact [former FEMA director ] James Lee Witt," Villines said. "I did that on Sunday night."

Malcolm wouldn’t discuss any difficulties he’s encountered in his duties.

Jay Kirsch, a spokesman for Kenyon, which FEMA contracted to set up the morgue facilities, said progress has been slow.

"We shipped out last Thursday, brought all our stuff up there," Kirsch said. "That’s the frustration. The trickle-down from Washington isn’t trickling fast enough."

Malcolm’s wife, Mara Malcolm, who works in the Pulaski County prosecuting attorney’s office, said she speaks to her husband daily and that he is anxious to begin identifying the bodies of the dead and to give them the dignity they deserve.

"For a man who has dedicated his entire adult life to protecting the dignity of human life," she said, "the waiting is hard for him."

She said he was scheduled to appear on CNN’s Larry King Live today to talk about his duties.