Two long-time Beaufort County officials run for open coroner's seat

May 26--Two Beaufort County officials are running in the Republican primary for Beaufort County coroner.

David Ott, chief deputy coroner, and David J. Zeoli, former deputy director of Beaufort County Emergency Management, are running for the four-year term.

The June 9 Republican primary will determine who becomes the county's chief death investigator, as no Democrat is running in the Nov. 3 general election. Orr and Zeoli both live in Beaufort.

A third candidate, Robert Blok, withdrew from the race on May 20.

Ed Allen, longtime coroner, announced his retirement from the position in recent months. He has held the job since 2008.

Allen's salary is $92,000 a year, according to Liz Farrell, Beaufort County spokesperson.

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County code says coroner's pay starts at $70,367.

The coroner is responsible for investigating all suspicious, violent, sudden and unexpected deaths that happen in Beaufort County, according to its website.

Manner of death is determined by the coroner. Manner of death is classified in five categories: natural, accident, homicide, suicide and undetermined.

The determination plays a role in court cases and insurance decisions.

Qualifications to be a coroner include education and/or death investigations experience.

David Ott

Education and experience?

I have been an investigator for nearly 40 years, and have taken multiple courses to help refine my knowledge. For a list of courses I have taken, please visit https://www.ottforcoroner.com/education.

What in your background and experience qualifies you for the position of Beaufort County Coroner?

I have 40 years of experience in law enforcement and at the coroner's office combined.

Almost my entire career has been spent in investigations from armed robbery to homicide, and now exclusively death investigations.

One major duty of a coroner is to determine the cause and manner of death for individuals who pass away outside of a hospital setting or within 24 hours of admittance to a hospital.

Sometimes, the manner of death is easily identified, but many times, an investigation must take place, and investigation is my specialty.

Do you think that some basic professional requirements should be required to hold the position of Coroner?

Absolutely. Currently, the South Carolina Code of Laws requires that a candidate for coroner meet some basic requirements, as well as one of seven more in-depth requirements, many of which require a certain number of years experience in death investigation.

What personal attributes make you suited for a position which often entails difficult interactions with family and friends?

I feel that I have always been a caring and compassionate person. Early in my career, I lost my father. Just before becoming deputy coroner, I lost my brother. Their losses made me even more emphatic toward the losses of others.

Furthermore, my career has taught me to be incredibly detail-oriented on crime scenes. This is especially important in the role of deputy coroner and coroner.

For example, on one of my very first scenes with the coroner's office, I was able to estimate that an individual passed away 4 and-a-half to 5 months previously based solely on my investigation and observations at the scene. This was later confirmed by autopsy.

I have been a public servant for my entire career. Over my four decades of experience, even before becoming a part of the coroner's office, I have had the opportunity to participate in a multitude of training that have taught me ways to better communicate with and assist families, especially during some of the hardest moments of their lives.

David J. Zeoli

Education and Experience?

I have a Bachelor's Degree from Park University in Criminal Justice Administration and graduate studies in the area of Public Administration. Retired Marine Corps Veteran, Retired Deputy Sheriff and volunteer Deputy Coroner.

What in your background and experience qualifies you for the position of Beaufort County Coroner?

As both a retired Marine Corps veteran, Deputy Sheriff and Deputy Director of Emergency Management in Beaufort County, I have experience in a wide array of both investigative endeavors, as well as coordinated inter-agency responses to incidents that involve the risk for mass casualties.

I am a FEMA certified Incident Command Systems Instructor.

It's important to think past the normal, daily operations of the Coroner's Office and to prepare not just the Coroner's Office, but the entire county government, with a robust plan to address those high-risk, low frequency events such as natural disasters or man-made incidents which may threaten the residents of Beaufort County.

With my experience and the broad coalition of highly skilled professionals I have built over the span of my service, I believe that I am the only candidate with the knowledge, experience and network to have a comprehensive, efficient reaction to any mass casualty incidents on day one of my taking office.

Do you think that some basic professional requirements should be required to hold the position of Coroner?

To be the person in charge of a modern, 21st century Coroner's Office, one should have completed some form of higher education, at least a bachelor's degree in a field that touches on the main tenets of what a coroner does: Investigations, criminal procedure and the legal framework surrounding death investigations.

What personal attributes make you suited for a position which often entails difficult interactions with family and friends?

As a leader of both Marines and law enforcement personnel, I have a keen sense of empathy and tact.

As one could imagine, decades of public service have introduced me to many difficult, emotionally-charged situations.

A Coroner is the person who helps to write the last chapter of a person's life, and I consider that to be a very grave and solemn duty.

As Coroner, I vow to conduct myself in an empathetic manner with family and friends of all decedents. Professionalism has been the hallmark of my public service, in both of my careers that have spanned over 45 years of service combined.

I will bring the same commitment to professionalism and empathy that has served our community throughout my career.

Primary preview in The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette:

Sunday: S.C. House District 118: Herbkersman vs. Covert

Monday: S.C. House District 123: Bradley vs. Hartman

Tuesday: Beaufort County coroner, Jasper County coroner

Wednesday: Jasper County sheriff

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