Dorchester County, SC Coroner's Office

09/11/2026

Twenty-five years later, September 11 still asks something of us: remember.

Remember the people whose ordinary Tuesday morning became their last. Remember the families who never got another phone call, another hug, or another day with someone they loved. Remember the first responders who stepped forward when others were trying to escape.

On this 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, the Dorchester County Coroner’s Office joins communities across our nation in honoring every life lost and every family forever changed.

Time moves forward, but remembrance should not fade.

25 years later, we remember.
September 11, 2001 – September 11, 2026

🇺🇸 Never Forget.

09/11/2026

Today, we pause to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and to honor the fallen heroes whose courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

We also pay tribute to the first responders who answered the call in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

Among those brave individuals was one of our own, Deputy Coroner Sheila Shea. Before joining the Dorchester County Coroner’s Office, Sheila served as an officer with the NYPD and responded in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in New York City.

Sheila, thank you for your courage, strength, and service. Today, we honor you, your fellow first responders, the fallen, and every life forever changed by the events of September 11, 2001.

We will never forget. 🇺🇸

09/03/2026

The Dorchester County Coroner's Office administrative office will be closed Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day.

To reach the on-call Deputy Coroner from Friday at 5:00pm to Tuesday at 8:30am, dial 843-873-5111.
Let us all take a moment to appreciate our country's workforce and give them a day of leisure and rest and have a happy and safe Labor Day Weekend.

For those essential personnel including first responders, let's all be careful out there.

08/14/2026

🌡️ Know What to Do When Someone Is Suffering From the Heat

Heat-related illness can become serious quickly. Knowing what to do could save a life.

If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion, such as heavy sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, or extreme thirst:

• Move them to a cool or shaded area.
• Remove unnecessary or heavy clothing.
• Cool them with cold, wet cloths, water, fans, or ice packs.
• If they are alert and able to drink safely, give them cool water in small sips.
• Stay with them and continue to monitor their condition.

🚨 Know the signs of HEAT STROKE.

Confusion, slurred speech, seizures, loss of consciousness, or a very high body temperature can indicate heat stroke. A person may be sweating heavily or may have hot, dry skin. Heat stroke is a medical emergency.

📞 Call 911 immediately.

While waiting for help:

• Move the person to a cooler area.
• Begin cooling them right away with cold water, wet towels, ice, or cooling packs.
• Stay with them until emergency medical help arrives.

When in doubt, call 9️⃣1️⃣1️⃣.

Recognize the signs. Act quickly. Help keep our community safe during extreme heat.

☀️Dorchester County Coroner’s Office

08/14/2026

☀️ Heat Safety: Know the Risks

High temperatures can become dangerous quickly, especially for children, older adults, outdoor workers, and anyone with certain health conditions.

Help protect yourself and others during extreme heat:

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
• Avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day when possible.
• Never leave a child, older adult, or pet inside a parked vehicle, even for a few minutes.
• Check on family members, neighbors, and friends who may be more vulnerable to the heat.

Watch for signs of heat-related illness, including dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, confusion, or fainting.

If someone becomes confused, loses consciousness, or appears seriously ill from the heat, call 911 immediately.

Check on your people. Stay hydrated. Stay cool. Stay safe.

Dorchester County Coroner’s Office

08/14/2026

‼️Child Safety Tip of The Week ‼️

🔒 Gun Safety Starts With Safe Storage

Firearm safety is everyone’s responsibility. A few simple precautions can help prevent accidental injuries, especially in homes with children.

• Keep fi****ms unloaded and locked when not in use.
• Store ammunition separately and securely.
• Use a gun safe, lockbox, or locking device to prevent unauthorized access.
• Never leave a firearm unattended where a child or other unauthorized person could reach it.
• Teach children that if they see a firearm, they should not touch it, leave the area, and tell a trusted adult.
• Before your child visits another home, it is okay to ask how fi****ms are stored.

A moment spent securing a firearm can prevent a lifetime of consequences.

Dorchester County Coroner’s Office
Promoting safety, prevention, and awareness in our community.

08/03/2026

As students head back to school, let’s work together to make this school year a safe one.

🚌 Back-to-School Safety Tips

✅ Slow down in school zones and obey posted speed limits.
✅ Stop for school buses when red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended.
✅ Put your phone away while driving. A few seconds of distraction can have lifelong consequences.
✅ Watch carefully for children crossing streets, riding bicycles, or walking near bus stops.
✅ Remind children to use crosswalks, look both ways before crossing, and avoid distractions such as phones or headphones when walking.
✅ Make sure backpacks, clothing, and bicycles have reflective materials to improve visibility during early morning hours.
✅ Ensure children riding in vehicles are properly restrained in age- and size-appropriate car seats or seat belts.

As the excitement of a new school year begins, let’s all do our part to protect our youngest community members. Every safe trip to and from school starts with attentive drivers, prepared parents, and safety-conscious students.

From all of us at the Dorchester County Coroner’s Office, we wish every student, teacher, and family a safe, successful, and healthy school year! 🍎📚

07/14/2026

🏍️ Child Safety Tip of the Week: ATV Safety

ATVs are powerful vehicles, not toys. Every year, children are seriously injured or killed in preventable ATV crashes. Taking a few simple precautions can save a life.

Before your child rides, remember these important safety tips:

🪖 Always wear a DOT-approved helmet, along with eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, gloves, and over-the-ankle boots.
👦 Children should only ride ATVs that are appropriate for their age and size. Adult-sized ATVs are not designed for young riders.
🚫 Never allow passengers unless the ATV is specifically designed for two people.
🛣️ Ride only on designated trails or private property with permission. ATVs should never be operated on public roads.
🚸 Children should always be supervised by a responsible adult and receive proper hands-on safety training before riding.
🍺 Never allow anyone to operate an ATV under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
🌧️ Slow down on unfamiliar, muddy, or uneven terrain, and never attempt risky stunts or excessive speeds.

ATV crashes can happen in seconds, but many are preventable with the right equipment, supervision, and safe riding practices.

The Dorchester County Coroner’s Office is committed to promoting injury prevention through education. Making safe choices today can help ensure every child returns home safely.

07/13/2026

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One of the biggest misconceptions in medicolegal death investigation is that a manner of death determines whether someone is guilty of a crime.

It doesn’t.

A manner of death is a MEDICAL DETERMINATION made by a coroner or medical examiner based on the available investigative and medical evidence. It answers one question:

How did this person die?

It does not determine whether a crime was committed or whether someone should be prosecuted.

The 2025 National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) Forensic Autopsy Standards make this distinction clear. A manner of death is a medicolegal opinion based on the totality of the investigation - not the outcome of a criminal case.

Forensic standards recognize that:

Accident does not mean no one is legally responsible.

A person may die in an accident, yet another individual’s actions - such as impaired driving, reckless conduct, or criminal negligence - may still result in criminal charges or civil liability.

Likewise…

Homicide does not require a criminal conviction.

In forensic pathology, homicide simply means the death resulted from the actions of another person.

It is a medicolegal classification - not a finding of criminal guilt.

Whether those actions were criminal, justified, excusable, or accidental is a legal question for law investigators, prosecutors, judges, and juries.

These are two separate systems serving two different purposes.

The medicolegal system provides an independent medical opinion based on forensic evidence.

The criminal justice system determines whether the law was violated and whether criminal responsibility exists.

Neither system should replace the other.

Understanding this distinction protects the integrity of death investigations, preserves the independence of forensic medicine, and helps ensure the justice system reaches its own conclusions based on all available evidence.

Remember:

• Accident is not the same as “no one is at fault.”
• Homicide is not the same as “murder.”

A manner of death is not a verdict.

Knowing the difference is essential - not just for death investigators, but for law enforcement, prosecutors, attorneys, judges, juries, the media, and the public.

07/07/2026

☀️Child Safety Tip of the Week: Never Leave Children Alone in a Vehicle

Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a parked vehicle can rise dangerously fast. A child’s body heats up three to five times faster than an adult’s, putting them at risk for heatstroke in just minutes.

Help prevent a tragedy by following these simple steps:
• Always check the back seat before locking your vehicle.
• Place your phone, purse, briefcase, or another essential item in the back seat as a reminder.
• Keep vehicle doors locked and keys out of children’s reach to prevent them from climbing inside while playing.
• If you see a child alone in a parked vehicle, call 911 immediately. Every minute matters.

Heatstroke is preventable, and a simple habit can save a child’s life.

Please help spread this message by sharing it with your family, friends, and neighbors. Together, we can help keep our children safe.