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NATCHEZ­ — One week from today (Monday) is the official retirement day for Adams County Coroner James Lee, who has served in that capacity for nearly 30 years.

“I have mixed emotions,” Lee said when announcing his upcoming retirement to the Board of Supervisors on Monday. “I love that job. I’ve been coroner since 1999. We established a department that I think was the best for the entire community, both in the city and the county. We started out with the coroner’s office operating out of a garage, then into a physical building that can actually suffice to meet with and take care of the people of Natchez and Adams County. I’m very proud of that.”

Lee said he has been working “behind the scenes” to allow a smooth transition and recommended that the Board of Supervisors appoint his deputy coroner, Rosa Newman, to fill in as the interim Adams County Coroner until the next scheduled election. No special election will be required, he said.

“It’s my time to go,” he said. “I would be remiss if I didn’t say in this meeting that I appreciate so much the residents of this city and this county who have supported me over the years. My elections weren’t close and I’m bragging that. None of them. Because the people had a lot of faith in me and I hope that I’ve served you well. I am moving on, but not without letting you know that we’ve already worked on some things behind the scenes so that you would not be without the services of the coroner’s office.”

Everyone at the coroner’s office, including the deputy coroner, is required to be certified to respond to a death call and investigate deaths to determine the cause and manner of death, Lee said.

Newman has been a certified paramedic for some 30 years, he said. She chose Joseph West, a certified criminal investigator, to serve as deputy coroner after her transition, Lee said, adding, “I feel that she made a good choice.”

Lee also thanked Detrice Hayes specifically, who has helped him tremendously with processing death certificates and paperwork, he said.

“I’d like to commend you on a job well done,” said District 3 Supervisor Angela Hutchins to Lee during Monday’s meeting. “I just want to say thank you and you will be missed. About your budget, you did a little bit but not much. Only what was needed. So I’d like to say thank you for your service.”

Hutchins made the motion Monday to appoint Newman as interim coroner, and her motion was seconded by District 4 Supervisor James “Ricky” Gray and passed unanimously.

Other supervisors echoed the praise for Lee and his service to the county.

“You’ve always been a top-notch guy and I appreciate your service,” Board of Supervisors President Kevin Wilson said. “I’ve seen you during your down times and at times they were very down times. Some things have happened that even you can hardly bear and I appreciate your service.”