Before being sworn in as Aiken County’s new coroner Thursday morning, Darryl Ables talked about his career path and its unexpected destination.
Ables started working as a dispatcher for the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office in the mid-1980s.
A series of promotions followed, and they led to him becoming an investigator.
In October 1999, Ables joined the Aiken County Coroner’s Office staff, thinking he would leave to pursue other opportunities after gaining additional experience.
“At that time, I honestly felt like it was a change that would enhance or better my law enforcement career, and I hoped it would lead to other doors opening up for me in the law enforcement arena,” Ables said. “But once I got in the Coroner’s Office, it felt like the perfect fit for me, and that’s where I stayed.”
From deputy coroner to chief deputy coroner, Ables moved up the ladder.
Last month, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Ables as coroner to replace Tim Carlton, who died in February.
Ables, 53, will serve in that position until the end of Carlton’s uncompleted term. Then Ables plans to run for the office in 2020’s November election.
“This is momentous day for me because of the hard work, the dedication and the endless number of hours put in,” Ables said. “It’s a testament to what can be achieved if you stick with something.”
Ables doesn’t plan any major changes in how the Coroner’s Office operates.
“Because of the efforts of Tim Carlton and Sue Townsend (Carlton’s predecessor), the foundation for the Coroner’s Office has already been set,” Ables said. “There’s no sense in me reinventing the wheel. We’re are going to continue to have our officers receive the best training, we are going to be proactive in the community and we are going to be compassionate for the families of those who have passed in our jurisdiction.”
Townsend, who died in 2004, and Carlton both battled cancer.
Ables remembered his former bosses as good mentors.
“Sue was the one who showed me about having compassion for families (of deceased individuals),” he said. “Tim, without a doubt, taught me the importance of doing a thorough death investigation. He strived for perfection, and it was nothing less than that when he turned in the paperwork.”
Ables’ swearing-in ceremony was held at the Aiken County Judicial Center in downtown Aiken.
S.C. Circuit Judge Clifton Newman of Kingstree officiated.
Ables’ mother, Alberta Ables, and his wife, Angela, joined him and Clifton at the front of the courtroom.
Others in attendance included Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon, Aiken County Council Chairman Gary Bunker, Aiken City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh, Aiken Department of Public Safety Chief Charles Barranco and Aiken County Sheriff Michael Hunt.
“Darryl has always done a good job,” Hunt said.
