Lehigh County Coroner Scott D. Grim has announced his retirement from the position effective Feb. 28.

Grim, who has headed the office for the past 26 years, submitted his resignation to Lehigh County Executive Philip Armstrong in a letter dated Jan. 10.

In it, the coroner said his decision to retire comes with “a heavy heart,” but, he added, “It has been my honor to serve you, the commissioners, my staff, but, more importantly, it has been such an honor to serve the wonderful people of Lehigh County.”

His letter continues, “Being coroner, this position has given me such a perspective on life which I will hold very close to my heart.”

Grim said he believes the Lehigh office is “one of the best coroner’s offices in the commonwealth and the U.S.”

Under his guidance, the office became one of the first coroner’s offices in Pennsylvania and the second in the nation to be accredited by the International Association of Coroners and Examiners.

Grim pointed out 90 percent of his staff is nationally certified in medicolegal death investigations. Among the other accomplishments during his tenure, he said, was the opening of a state-of-the-art Forensics Center four years ago.

The departing coroner told Armstrong, “Lehigh County will be in good hands.”

He closed, “Over the past 26 years, the ride has been wild and wonderful. The memories, good, bad, happy and sad, will be with me until the very end. I may be leaving the office, but I’ll be around. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your coroner. I am very blessed.”

The Lehigh commissioners will appoint an interim coroner in the spring, until a replacement is elected.