MOULTON — Courtland Fire Chief Scott Norwood said serving the public and giving back to the community is something he has always felt called to do.

When former Lawrence County Coroner Micah Coffey died in September, Norwood decided to apply for the unexpired term.

On Tuesday morning, Norwood was notified by Gov. Robert Bentley’s office that he has received the appointment. He was sworn in a short time later by Lawrence County Probate Judge Mike Praytor.

Norwood, 38, who has been a paramedic since 1994 and has worked as a flight paramedic for 12 years, works with the Decatur Fire Department.

“I believe (being coroner) is a calling,” Norwood said. “I have always tried to be involved in the community and always felt my calling is to serve the public.”

Norwood ran unsuccessfully for the coroner’s position in 1997.

Coffey was found unresponsive at a mobile home owned by his family at Mallard Creek near Hillsboro on Sept. 25. He was pronounced death at Decatur Morgan Hospital Parkway Campus later that day. Coffey had served as the county’s coroner since 2006.

Norwood will have two years to serve Coffey’s unexpired term in office.

“Micah was a very good man. I really thought a lot of him,” Norwood said. “When he died, I decided (trying to get the coroner’s appointment) was something I was suppose to do. I applied and I got the call.”

He said he appreciated the governor for having the confidence in him to fill the position.

“There is a lot I want to bring to the office and I look forward to serving the people of Lawrence County in this capacity,” Norwood said.

Colbert County Coroner Carlton Utley, the district director for the Alabama Coroner’s Association, said he spoke with Norwood on Tuesday.

“I’m sure he will do a good job,” Utley said. “He’s a good paramedic and he has helped the coroner’s office in the past with calls.

“I look forward to working with him and I assured him, when we talked, that I would be here to help if needed.”

Norwood said will have two deputy coroners — Jason Jones and Stacy Rose — to help him with calls.

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.