Coroner
Our Mission Statement:
It is our mission and goal of the Putnam County Coroner's Office to provide the most professional, efficient, qualified, and courteous investigations into all deaths within our jurisdiction, as required by Georgia law.
The Coroner’s office responds to calls twenty-four hours a day, seven-days a week to investigate and determine cause and manner of death. Coroner Hollis Harrison and his staff investigate cases of homicide, suicide, accidental, undetermined and natural deaths that are sudden, unexpected or medically unattended. The coroner’s office is charged by Georgia law to determine the cause and manner of death by an extensive investigation which sometimes includes a post-mortem examination. Investigations are independent of the sheriff, police, fire departments and the medical examiner. However, all are conducted in conjunction with these agencies.
A post-mortem examination (autopsy) is ordered by this office only. It will only be conducted if it meets the criteria set by the GBI State Medical Examiner's Office and when it is vital in the determination of cause and manner of death. When ordered by this office, a charge for the autopsy is never incurred by the family unless the GBI State Medical Examiner’s Office denies doing an autopsy and the family wishes for a private autopsy. The family is then responsible for the cost of the examination. The coroner’s office can help facilitate that request by connecting the family with a private autopsy company.
On completion of the coroner’s investigation and post-mortem examination, the coroner or his deputy (upon delivery of a death certificate initiated by the funeral home) will complete said death certificate and return the certificate to the funeral director who is then responsible for having it ready. The death certificate is then made available to the family.
After that initial period, copies may be purchased from the Putnam County Probate Court by calling (706)-485-5476. The Putnam Probate Court is located in the Putnam County Court House 100 South Jefferson Ave, Suite 318, Eatonton, GA 31024.
If any personal items of the deceased are retained by the coroner’s office, a family member must possess and present a current photo identification card to pick up such items. Any prescription medications collected during the investigation will be turned over to law enforcement.
The Coroner’s Office is made up of well-trained, educated individuals who are dedicated to investigating the cause of deaths, completing death reports, and treating families with support and respect. Additionally, the Coroner’s office partners with law enforcement agencies including the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Eatonton Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office, and the Child Abuse Committee to study the facts surrounding deaths and cause and manner. Everyone in the coroner’s office attends annual training classes to stay current of any new advances in death investigation through various organizations like Georgia Training Council, GPSTC, St Louis School of Medicine and others around the Country.
The Putnam County Coroner’s Office training consists of the following:
- Blood Pattern Analysis
- Case Studies
- Crash Investigations
- Evidence Collection
- Legal Updates
- Photography
- Sharp Force Injuries
- Wound Identification in Gunshot Wound Ranges
The Putnam County Coroner’s Office is located at 882 S. Oak St, Eatonton, Ga. 31024. The building is a secure facility. Therefore, it is necessary to call the office and leave a voicemail to schedule a time to meet with the coroner or deputy coroner since there’s no secretary in the office.
Primary Responsibilities
- Investigate all deaths that occur in Putnam County as required by law.
- As a result of violence, suicide or casualty.
- In any suspicious or unusual manner, with particular attention to those person 16 years of age and under.
- Suddenly when in apparent good health.
- When unattended by a physician.
- After birth but before seven years of age if the death is unexpected or unexplained.
- Take possession of all unclaimed bodies in Putnam County.
- Arrange for disposition of unclaimed bodies.
- When an inmate of a state hospital or a state, county, or city penal institution.
- Systematically examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths in a geographical area and/or a given age.
- Prepare and plan for mass fatality incidents.
