The Sheriff also has the responsibility of being the Modoc County Coroner. As such all Deputy Sheriffs are cross designated as Deputy Coroners. The Coroner duties are overseen and managed by the Sheriff. The Coroner's Office investigates deaths falling under the guidelines of the California State Government Code §27491.
The Sheriff’s Office will professionally and compassionately with reverence for life perform the duties of Coroner.  These duties include investigation into the circumstances surrounding all deaths in our jurisdiction.
The Coroner’s office has the responsibility for carrying out specific statutory duties. These duties include investigation into the circumstances surrounding all deaths in our jurisdiction, for purposes of determining the identification, medical cause, manner, date, time and mechanism. Medico legal death investigations will be conducted county wide on all Homicides, suicides, accidents and suspicious or unexplained deaths as required.
The Modoc County Coroner's Office identifies the deceased and notifies their next-of-kin, regardless of where in the world they may live, while insuring that the deceased and their property are treated with the utmost respect and dignity. We will also protect the interests of the deceased until next-of-kin can do so. We accomplish our mission through the use of pathologists, consultants, and other methods of inquiry. We serve as an independent finder of fact in a manner as prescribed by law.