County Council approves internal solution to coroner services

The County explored two options – contracted services via an interlocal agreement and in-house staffing – before appointing a staff member to the role.

||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

Over the past few months, San Juan County has been working to establish a new system for coroner services after a state code changed the way small counties may operate. Most recently discussed during the February 25 and April 15, 2025 Council meetings, the County explored two options – contracted services via an interlocal agreement and in-house staffing. During today’s meeting, Council appointed County employee Greg Sawyer, the current Facilities Director, as the County Coroner.

“I’m honored to serve my community through this new role,” said Sawyer. “I’ll be using skills and relationships I’ve cultivated during my 12 years with the Fire Department and my 16 years of life in the islands.”

Two additional County staff, Matthew Steward and Shane Merritt, will serve as deputy coroners.

What changed?  

Historically, San Juan County has relied upon the Prosecuting Attorney to function as Coroner.

Updated language in RCW 36.16.030, effective January 1, 2025, removed the provision that counties with less than 40,000 residents may utilize the Prosecuting Attorney as the ex officio coroner. Now, the RCW states that “the County legislative authority may determine that no coroner shall be elected and instead appoint a coroner.”

This language change resulted in the appointment of County Facilities Director, Greg Sawyer, as the new coroner. Sawyer underwent medicolegal forensic investigation training in March and has a background in Emergency Medical Services, most recently with the Orcas Island Fire Department. Sawyer, along with the other deputies, will continue to attend trainings as part of State-required ongoing education.

What duties does the coroner perform?

In San Juan County, the coroner is on-call and available at all times, responds to scenes, works closely with law enforcement, notifies next of kin in-person when feasible, requests and reviews medical records when appropriate, and completes death certificates, among other duties.  (Duties defined by RCW 68.50.010)

What does this mean for San Juan County?  

As of January 1, 2025, the Prosecuting Attorney was no longer serving as the County’s coroner. The County Council appointed an interim coroner who assumed duties on January 1, 2025. As of May 13, 2025 Sawyer assumed Coroner duties and will work alongside the Sheriff’s Office in the event of a fatality.