Cherokee County Chief Deputy Coroner Jeff Walsh tendered his resignation effective Thursday citing the need to spend more time with his family, that according to a News Release from Cherokee County Coroner Dr. Jeremy Deaton.

Deputy Coroner Walsh was sworn into office in January 2015 and has been instrumental with much new advancement in the coroner’s office. Since being sworn in, Mr. Walsh has assisted and led in 152 death investigations in Cherokee County. Walsh attended numerous trainings, specifically in Mass Casualty Planning and Training, and helped to develop the local mass casualty response plan for the Coroner’s office.

Dr. Deaton, states that “Jeff has been a valuable asset to the Coroner’s office and has served this county with great honor. We fully respect his decision to forego his duties to be with his family more.  He will be sorely missed by the Coroner’s office.

Deaton has initiated a search for a new Chief Deputy Coroner. The Coroner’s office currently has two Deputy Coroners, Broderick Smith and Dakota Lambert in addition to a driver Haylee Betterton, and an Assistant to the Coroner, Kevin Wood.

Deaton said a new Chief Deputy Coroner will be named at the next meeting of the Cherokee County Commission and sworn in following the meeting.