Jonlee Chad Ricks, 44, of Belton, SC, passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2023. Born in Belton, SC, he was the son of Hazel Buchanan Ricks and the late Johnny Ricks. He worked as an equipment operator and a brick mason.
Brick Masonry
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his spouse: Sommer Shaw-Ricks; Brother: Chris Ricks; Sisters: Teresa Ricks Harris (Michael Strickland), Sonya Lynn Nimmons, and Gina Dawn Ricks; Nephews: Justin, Joe, and Derek Harris; Niece: Jasmine Garrett; and numerous great nephews and great nieces.
A funeral service was held at 3pm on Monday, July 31, 2023, at the Sosebee Mortuary South Chapel officiated by Preacher Michael Harvell.
According to deputies, Jonlee Chad Ricks was shot along Dean Springs Road on July 22. A group of suspects found Ricks at a stop sign where he was assaulted and robbed. They returned a short time later and a fight began leading up to the fatal shooting.
Read also: The Life of Chad Everett Harris
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office said one person has been charged with murder and three others were arrested in connection to the death. Roddriques Rashun Watson, 28, shot Ricks in the chest killing him. He has been charged with murder.
Within the group, Jenna Lee Ward, 27, is charged with criminal conspiracy and accessory before the fact to a felony. Charles Alexander Williams, 29, and Samuel Summers are both charged with attempted armed robbery and criminal conspiracy. 21-year-old Nevaeh McMillian was charged with accessory after the fact to a felony.
The sheriff’s office said this remains an active investigation and more charges are possible in the near future.
The Role of the Anderson County Coroner's Office
The Anderson County Office of the Coroner plays a crucial role in death investigations, acting as the interface between law and medicine. The office adheres to established professional standards to ensure equitable and consistent practices.
The Anderson County Office of the Coroner is wanting to create a database where we can search for a person’s next of kin. Even if you don’t live alone, if something happens to you while you are out at the grocery store, or driving down the road and are by yourself this would still be helpful. Each case is unique and handled respectfully on an individual basis.
Read also: "Married to Evil": Chad Graves
Key Functions and Procedures:
- Death Notification: The office is responsible for notifying the legal next of kin when a death occurs.
- Death Certificates: South Carolina DHEC Vital Records issues death certificates based on information provided by the next of kin to the funeral home, which is then electronically sent to the Coroner/Deputy Coroner/Doctor for signing.
- Next of Kin Determination: If legally married, the spouse is required to sign off. If the spouse is deceased, divorced, or never married, the responsibility falls to the next legal next of kin.
- Majority Rule: If there is more than one person in the category that is determined to be the legal next of kin there must be a majority of the group to sign.
Important Considerations:
- Power of Attorney is only valid while the person is living.
- As Power of Attorney, if the person is still living, you can sign a preneed cremation authorization for that person, so that when they do die that portion is already taken care of.
- This makes it easy for the investigator to know who to contact if you are found at home by yourself.
- Put a note in your wallet, on your refrigerator, or another easily accessible place for our investigator to see so they know that you do have arrangements made.
The office also oversees the morgue located at AnMed Health in Anderson, South Carolina. State law requires the Office of the Coroner to be notified when a death occurs within their jurisdiction.
Personal effects that are on the body in a coroner’s case are the jurisdiction of the Office of the Coroner, while other personal effects that may be collected are part of the evidence collection of the involved law enforcement agency (e.g. City Police Department; Sheriff’s Office). All coroner case personal effects are accounted for, and are released to the family as soon as possible; there are specific chain-of-custody procedures for the release of valuables. Decedent medications are secured and destroyed by the Coroner Investigator.
Autopsies:
Read also: Vallow-Daybell Trial: Key Evidence
The Coroner and/or Deputy Coroner will decide if an autopsy is necessary, however approximately 85% of deaths we investigate do not require one. Autopsies are performed when additional investigation is needed to establish the cause and manner of death; autopsies are ALWAYS performed in suspected homicides. A board certified forensic pathologist conducts all autopsies.
Although incisions are made, they are placed so that they will not be seen; they are also very carefully closed after the procedure just as in surgical procedures.
Each case is distinct, but under normal circumstances a case not involving autopsy will result in release within 24-48 hours or less.
Accessing Reports:
You can call the Office at (864) 260-4057 to inquire when a report will be ready.
Financial Assistance:
If your loved one did not have burial funds, the next-of-kin may ask for assistance in government and private sources. The Anderson County Office of the Coroner does not provide financial resources to handle funeral arrangements.
Training and Recognition
Deputy Coroners Ross Ables and Matthew Voigt attended the 40 Hour Medicolegal Death Investigator Training Course and completed the Missouri P.O.S.T. Stacey Sullivan, Deputy Coroner recently completed a 40-hour Medicolegal Death Investigation Training Program in Springfield, Mo. Stacey is a Registered Nurse with over 15 years’ experience in Emergency and Critical Care Medicine.
Mr. Greg Shore stated “I can think of no better way to honor a man that has spent his life speaking for the dead” than to recognize him with this award.
Katrina Romo has been hired as the New Morgue Attendant with the Anderson County Office of the Coroner. Greg Shore wanted to congratulate Ms. Katrina competed for the position against 17 other applicants and was chosen as the final candidate. Romo will responsible tracking individuals admitted to the morgue, maintaining chain of custody and releasing deceased persons to the appropriate funeral homes.
Morgue
Additional Cases and Incidents
The Anderson County Office of the Coroner is involved in numerous death investigations. Here are a few examples:
- Investigation into a body found in a wooded area on S. Murray Avenue and Johnson Street.
- A motorcycle fatality on LaFrance Road in Pendleton, SC, where the victim died as a result of a head injury after crashing into a utility pole.
- A fire in an abandoned house, where the victim was found after the fire was extinguished.
- A vehicle accident on Highway 81, where the driver of a Ford Expedition crossed the centerline and struck a Honda SUV.
- An active shooter incident reported around 10:30 pm.
These cases underscore the wide range of incidents the Coroner's Office handles, from accidents and fires to homicides and natural deaths.
Coroner
The increasing number of accidental death investigations highlights the growing demands on the Coroner’s Office. Deputy Coroner Don McCown noted that many cases indicate potential negligence or responsibility by others, making thorough investigations crucial for families seeking justice.
What Is The Difference Between A Coroner And A Medical Examiner In The County?
Popular articles:
tags: #Chad
