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Coroner

David Ruth

David Ruth, CMEI
Coroner

David Ruth was elected Rankin County Coroner in 2015. He has been involved with law enforcement for over 39 years. David has been a longtime resident of Rankin County, and he is a member of Brandon Baptist Church.

Some of David's accomplishments include:

  • Investigator for the Rankin/Madison District Attorney's Office
  • Mississippi Coroner Death Investigation Certified
  • Appointed Commissioner of Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department
  • Master Mason of Tyrian Lodge #427
  • Former Deputy Coroner for Rankin County
  • Chief Investigator for Brandon Police Department
  • Patrolman for Brandon Police Department
  • Volunteer Firefighter in Richland
  • 113th Military Police in Brandon- Honorable Discharge
  • Four-time Metro Top Cop
  • Honor Graduate of an Advanced Crime Scene course at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Academy
  • Received training in Medicolegal Death Investigation required by statue and has completed the Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation course. He continues to receive all mandated continuing education required by statue.

    Clifton Dunlap

    Clifton Dunlap, DMEI
    Deputy Coroner

    Clifton Dunlap is a life-long resident of Rankin County. He is a 2004 graduate of Brandon High School, and 2006 graduate of Holmes Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science. Clifton has worked in the death care profession since 2006 and has 16 years experience as Deputy Coroner. Clifton is certified by the State of Mississippi as a Deputy Medical Examiner Investigator. He has received all mandated hours of continuing education in Medicolegal Death Investigation   required by statue.


    Heather Smith

    Heather Smith, DMEI
    Deputy Coroner

    Heather Smith is a long-time resident of Pearl, MS. She graduated from Pearl High School in 2002 and continued her education at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science with an Emphasis in Chemistry and a minor in Administration of Justice. During her time at USM she completed an internship at the MS State Crime Laboratory. Heather has worked in the death care profession since 2017 and joined Rankin County Coroner David Ruth in 2019. Heather is certified by the State of Mississippi as a Deputy Medical Examiner Investigator and has received all mandated hours of continuing education in Medicolegal Death Investigation required by statue and has completed the Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation course.

    Heather and her husband, Brent, live in Pearl, MS with their two children, and are members of Crossgates Baptist Church in Brandon, MS.


    Contact Us

    • Phone: (601) 670-0933
    • Office Hours:
      Monday-Friday 8a-5p

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