Rankin County, Mississippi

Clifton Dunlap, DMEI
Deputy Coroner

Clifton Dunlap is a life-long resident of Rankin County. He is a 2004 graduate of Brandon High School, and 2006 graduate of Holmes Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science. Clifton has worked in the death care profession since 2006 and has 16 years experience as Deputy Coroner. Clifton is certified by the State of Mississippi as a Deputy Medical Examiner Investigator. He has received all mandated hours of continuing education in Medicolegal Death Investigation   required by statue.

Heather Smith, DMEI
Deputy Coroner

Heather Smith is a long-time resident of Pearl, MS. She graduated from Pearl High School in 2002 and continued her education at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science with an Emphasis in Chemistry and a minor in Administration of Justice. During her time at USM she completed an internship at the MS State Crime Laboratory. Heather has worked in the death care profession since 2017 and joined Rankin County Coroner David Ruth in 2019. Heather is certified by the State of Mississippi as a Deputy Medical Examiner Investigator and has received all mandated hours of continuing education in Medicolegal Death Investigation required by statue and has completed the Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation course.

Heather and her husband, Brent, live in Pearl, MS with their two children, and are members of Crossgates Baptist Church in Brandon, MS.