Gary Hargrove, who worked tirelessly after Katrina to identify every victim, has died
Former Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove, who worked for years to identify every victim of Hurricane Katrina, has died.
He served as coroner for more than 2 decades before he decided to retire and not seek another term in the November election.
He previously had served as a Gulfport fireman from 1975-1996, retiring as district chief, according to a resolution adopted by the State Legislature commending him for his distinguished career and meritorious leadership and service. He was deputy coroner from 1985 to 1995.
Before his retirement, Hargrove was honored at a get-together attended by sheriffs, firefighters and police chiefs from across South Mississippi, who presented him with plaques and thanked him for his service.
“He put his whole soul in his job,” said D’Iberville Police Chief Wayne Payne., who grew up with Hargrove and went to high school with him.
“He took a lot of pride in his work and quite frankly he was very good at what he did,” said Gulfport Police Chief Leonard Papania.
In many areas the police handle notifying a family of a death, Papania said. “As much as possible Gary tried to handle that,” he said, and would go from very professional on the scene to very compassionate with the families, Papania said.
Following a Hurricane Katrina anniversary remembrance at the Biloxi Town Green, Hargrove told the Sun Herald how he wasn’t sure if his own family was safe as the storm came ashore and he went to work.
After Hurricane Katrina, Hargrove was relentless in recovering and identified each of the 97 people who died in Harrison County.
“He worked untold hours after Katrina,” Payne said. “Every time I look up he was there.”
Harrison County Supervisors said in a statement Saturday afternoon: “In the days after Hurricane Katrina, when Harrison County was struggling with the aftermath of one of the most destructive storms in history, Mr. Hargrove will always be remembered for his commitment to ensuring that everyone who lost their lives during the storm was not forgotten.”
On March 19, 2009, three and a half years after the storm, Katrina’s last victim in Harrison County was identified as 20-year-old Frank Jones of Gulfport.
“That,” Hargrove told the Sun Herald, “was probably the best day of my life.
Harrison County Fire Chief Pat Sullivan worked with Hargrove at the Gulfport Fire Department before Hargrove became coroner. He came from a long line of law enforcement officers, Sullivan said. His father was a chief of police in Gulfport and his uncles also were first responders.
“He was a dedicated public servant,” Sullivan said. “People respected him, respected the job he did.”
Hargrove worked side by side with the police and sheriff deputies in Harrison County.
“He was quick to tell you were doing what needed to be done,” said Biloxi Police Chief John Miller. Everyone knew, said Miller and the other police chiefs, the body belonged to Hargrove at a crime scene and woe was the new officer who touched anything before he arrived.
“He took his job seriously. You have to appreciate seriously,” Miller said. “Gary did his job well.”
This story was originally published January 18, 2020 at 12:27 PM.
