Dillon County

Donnie Grimsley, Coroner
401 W Main St, Suite 301
P.O Box 1006
Dillon, SC  29536
Cell Phone: (843) 495-3119
Phone: (843) 774-1444
Fax: (843) 841-3864
Email: drgrimsley@dilloncountysc.org

Hours of Operation: 24-7

Department Function
Duty to notify coroner’s office of certain deaths and stillbirths; inquiry; findings; notification of next-of-kin; consent for certain actions.

How We Serve
Death cases are referred to the Coroner’s Office for various reasons. The Coroner’s Office is notified in cases of deaths occurring outside of a hospital, if they die at a medical facility within 24 hours of admission or invasive surgery, child fatalities and any death under abnormal or suspicious circumstances.

When the Coroner’s Office is notified of a death outside of a hospital, the Coroner callas to ask if a private physician will certify the death and will interview the family member or care taker to verify no foul play exists. The Coroner or his Deputy Coroner(s) will obtain basic information for a burial removal transit permit (BRT) which is required by law 17-5-580.

Deaths that occur within 24 hours of admission to a medical facility or of an invasive medical procedure are reported to the Coroner as required by S. C. law 17-5-530. At that time a basic inquiry is performed and, based on information obtained, the inquiry may end or it may progress to a full case.

Cremation permits are issued upon request of the funeral director by the Coroner as provided in statute 32-8-325 and 32-8-340. There is a mandatory 24 hour waiting period from the time of death before a cremation may occur.

Coroner’s cases or investigations may become very involved and complex. When deemed appropriate, autopsies and toxicology tests are performed along with, other analysis that may require more time for a final and definitive answer for a family. Family members are welcome to call for status updates.

Death Certificates are forwarded to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. They are ordered and picked up by the legal next of kin at the funeral home chosen for the decedent’s final disposition.

Child Fatalities require a complete investigation per the requirement of S.C. 17-5-540 and 63-11-1940 unless thorough evidence is presented to validate existence of a preexisting terminal condition.

Vulnerable Adult deaths require a complete investigation as a requirement of S.C. 17-5-555 and 43-35-10(11).

Frequently Asked Questions

Are coroners police officers?
No. Coroners are law enforcement officers who conduct a concurrent investigation to determine the manner of death.

Where can I obtain a copy of a death certificate?
You can obtain a death certificate from the Vital Records office.

How long does it take to receive toxicology results?
It takes about 6 to 8 weeks.

What types of deaths require the coroner’s office involvement?

• Natural deaths at home with hospice
• Natural deaths with less than 24-hour admission into the hospital
• Any deaths believed to be of unnatural causes
• Homicide
• Suicide
• Accidental
• Undetermined

What do I do when a loved one dies at home?
Call 9-1-1 and let the responding agency determine if a coroner is necessary.

Does the Coroner’s Office take personal property?

• If the decedent is transported to the morgue by order of the Coroner’s Office, then any property on the decedent will be taken into possession by the Dillon County Coroner’s Office.
• The property can be released to the next of kin at the Coroner’s Office.
• State-issued identification is retained by the Coroner’s Office and will be kept as part of the case file.

How do I donate tissues and organs?
Contact Lifepoint 1.800.269.9777

Links:

• SC Coroner’s Association
• Sharing Hope (Organ Donation)
• Miracle In Sight (Organ Donation)

  Druscilla Blakely, Clerk To Council
Dillon County Administration
109 S 3rd Avenue
P.O Box 449
Dillon, SC 29536

Phone: (843) 774-1401
Fax: (843) 774-1443
Email: dblakely@dilloncountysc.org

County Council Meetings
Dillon County Council meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month beginning at 5 p.m. unless otherwise changed due to holidays. From time to time, Council approves a special called meeting. All special called meetings will be advertised in the local press and will also be posted on the County website and at the County Administration Building and Council Chambers.

2024 Dillon County Council Regular Called Meeting Schedule
Council Meets 4th Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Wednesday, December 18, 2024

County Council Meeting Place
County Council holds all meetings unless specified otherwise at the Dillon County Administration Building, Council Chambers, 109 S 3rd Avenue, Dillon, SC 29536

Requests To Address County Council
Should any person, group or organization request to be heard upon any matter at a regular or special meeting of Council, such person, group or organization shall submit a written request to the Chairman of County Council to place such matter on the agenda for the meeting at least seven (7) days prior to the date set for such meeting. The request shall specifically state the reason for the appearance.

The written request should be sent by USPS mail, hand delivered, or faxed to the Clerk to County Council. To make a request or for more information contact:

Druscilla Blakely, Clerk to Council
109 S 3rd Avenue
P.O Box 449
Dillon, SC 29536

Phone: (843) 774-1401
Fax: (843) 774-1443
Email: dblakely@dilloncountysc.org

2024 Council Agendas & Minutes

     February 6, 2024      Agenda  Minutes

2023 Council Agendas & Minutes

2022 Council Agendas & Minutes

 For agendas and minutes prior to 2022 you can click on the link below and go to the Dillon County Council Agendas & Minutes Archive Page.

• Agendas and Minutes Archive

The Dillon County Council has the power to create Boards and Commissions that assist the Council and staff with work important to the citizens of Dillon County.  Dillon County Council appoints members of each Board or Commission. Many Boards, Commissions, or Committees are created so that each of the 7 Council members appoint a member so that each of the 7 Districts of the County are represented.  Each Board, Commission, or Committee has its own mission, rules, and regulations as set and approved by County Council.  

The current Boards & Commission are:

• Dillon County Airport Commission
• Dillon County Library Board of Trustees
• Dillon County Planning Commission
• Dillon County Zoning Board of Appeals
• Dillon County Public-Private Economic Development Partnership Board
• Dillon County Transportation Committee
• Dillon County Conversation District

Interested In Serving On A County Board, Commission or Committee?
Any citizen of Dillon County can request and apply to serve on any of the Boards, Commissions, or Committees.  County Council has final say on those selected for each vacancy, but all applications will be reviewed and considered. If interested in serving on one of the Dillon County Boards, Commissions, or Committees contact your Council member or the Clerk To Council at:

Druscilla Blakely, Clerk To Council
Dillon County Administration
109 S 3rd Avenue
P.O Box 449
Dillon, SC 29536

Phone: (843) 774-1401
Fax: (843) 774-1443
Email: dblakely@dilloncountysc.org

County Council Member Contact Information