JOE VINESETT Cherokee County Coroner Joe Vinesett has been awarded for performing exceptional work in the area of child fatality investigations.

Lt. David Belk of the S.C. Law Enforcement Division Special Victims Unit - Child Fatality Investigations awarded Vinesett the 2005 Coroner Recognition Award recently.

"Coroner Vinesett has methodically and completely investigated child deaths occurring from causes and manners within Cherokee County," Belk said while presenting Vinesett with the award. "Coroner Vinesett has constantly distinguished himself, often responding as the sole investigator from his office during his many years serving as coroner. On the eve of his retirement, we commend his commitment to the thorough investigation of child deaths and his compassion for his constituents during those often-difficult investigations. Coroner Vinesett often went the extra mile and searched out the smallest of details in his cases, which in turn, helps the S.C. State Review Committee make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on how to prevent some of the unfortunate preventable child deaths in South Carolina," Belk said.

The S.C. Child Fatality Review Committee annually awards a coroner and a law enforcement officer for their distinguished service in the investigation of child deaths.