Before beginning the duties of the office of coroner, a coroner shall take the oath required of all civil officers and shall take the following oath:
"I swear that I will well and truly serve the State of Georgia in said office and faithfully and truly execute all writs and precepts to me directed or which I may lawfully execute, when placed in my charge, and return the same according to the best of my knowledge, skill, and judgment; that I will in no case knowingly use or exercise my office illegally, corruptly, or unjustly and that I will not, under any pretense, take, accept, or enjoy any fee or reward pertaining to my office other than such as are allowed by law; but that I will, in all things touching the duties of my office, demean myself honestly, fairly, and impartially according to the best of my ability, so help me God."
(Laws 1823, Cobb's 1851 Digest, p. 536; Code 1863, § 561; Code 1868, § 625; Code 1873, § 584; Code 1882, § 584; Civil Code 1895, § 493; Civil Code 1910, § 611; Code 1933, § 21-103.)