Cherokee County Coroner’s Office Participates in 2026 Statewide Training Symposium

Orange Beach— Members of the Cherokee County Coroner’s Office recently attended the 2026 Annual Alabama Coroner’s Association Conference Symposium, joining coroners and deputy coroners from across the state for required continuing education and advanced training.

Representing Cherokee County were Coroner Paul McDonald, Chief Deputy Coroner Josh Prater, Captain Deputy Coroner Rhonda McDonald, and Deputy Coroner Sidney Reed.

The annual symposium is part of mandatory training requirements established by the State of Alabama and the Alabama Coroner’s Association. The program ensures that coroner offices remain current on evolving best practices, investigative techniques, and legal standards related to death investigations.

This year’s training sessions included a range of specialized topics such as wilderness recovery operations, preparing for court testimony, airplane recovery procedures, nihilistic violent extremist death investigations, fatal fire investigations, and hands-on practical exercises involving live fire burn scenarios.

Organizers of the conference said the instruction is designed to strengthen investigative capabilities, improve coordination among agencies, and enhance the ability of coroners to provide accurate, professional, and compassionate service to families during critical and often traumatic circumstances.

Coroner Paul McDonald highlighted the importance of continued professional development for his office, noting that ongoing training plays a key role in ensuring readiness and maintaining high standards of service to Cherokee County residents.

The Cherokee County Coroner’s Office reaffirmed its commitment to continued education, certification, and professional excellence in serving the community.