MONCKS CORNER – Berkeley County Chief Deputy Coroner, Registered Medicolegal Death Investigator, and Certified Law Enforcement Officer Darnell Hartwell announced his Republican candidacy Thursday to succeed retiring coroner George Oliver.
A lifelong Berkeley County resident, Hartwell has served in various roles in the Berkeley County Coroner’s Office since 2005, including the past three years as chief deputy.
A graduate of Timberland High, Hartwell served in the Bonneau Volunteer Fire Department for two years, before entering the Coroner’s Office, Hartwell served with the Berkeley County Rescue Squad for 15 years.
With involvement in over 5,000 death investigations in Berkeley County, Hartwell highlighted his knowledge of the office, his expertise in the work, and his passion for the community in his announcement.
“For nearly 20 years, I have had the distinct honor of serving Berkeley County in emergency services and working with other dedicated leaders who have helped increase my passion to serve the community I love,” said Hartwell. “While I know following in the footsteps of tremendous leaders like former Coroners Wade Arnette, Glenn Rhoads, Bill Salisbury, and George Oliver will require a strong commitment – I am confident that the lessons I learned from them, coupled with over 3,000 hours of death investigation and criminal investigation training, have properly prepared me for the job. It would be a true honor to serve as your newly elected Berkeley County’s Coroner, and I humbly ask our community for their support, vote and prayers.”
A member of the Fraternal Order of Police and a Class 3 Certified Law Enforcement Officer for the State of South Carolina, Hartwell is a member of the South Carolina Coroners’ Association and the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners. Along with his wife Melissa Hartwell and their three children, Hartwell is an active member of Pointe North Community Church in Moncks Corner.
Hartwell, who has never sought elected office before, has secured the endorsements of Arnette, Salisbury and Oliver. He plans to submit his official Republican candidacy paperwork on the first day of candidate filing for the 2022 election.
SEE ALSO:
Berkeley County Coroner George Oliver To Retire After Term Ends
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