Oswego Firefighter Running Against Toftoy for Coroner

A 52-year-old Oswego firefighter and former deputy coroner plans to run against Coroner Ken Toftoy as an independent.

Mike Dabney, of Oswego, is circulating petitions to run again after an unsuccessful bid against Toftoy in the 2008 Republican primary. Toftoy, who also is chairman of the Kendall County Republican Central Committee, has served as coroner since 1992, according to his profile on the county’s website.

Dabney said he decided to run as an independent shortly after the 2008 race to give more voters more options on the ballot.

“There were a lot of people who came up to me and said, ‘I would have voted for you, but you ran as a Republican,’” Dabney said.

He needs to collect and submit 1,540 signatures by June 25 to get on the ballot.

If elected, Dabney said he would do most of the coroner’s office call-outs, especially those during the week, himself. He also is dedicated to providing community education on topics such as CPR, the danger of senior citizens overmedicating and motorcycle safety.

“I truly want to be coroner to be coroner,” Dabney said. “I don’t want to be GOP president, or Democrat president. I don’t need a raise. I don’t need any more money than what the job offers at this point. I believe it’s a privilege to serve.”

Toftoy did not immediately return calls for comment Tuesday afternoon.

Dabney served as a deputy coroner from 2002 to 2008. He also worked for the Aurora Police Department for 27 years, the last 13 as a crime scene investigator.

He presently is a full-time firefighter/paramedic/investigator for the Oswego Fire Protection District, a crime scene instructor for the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy at the College of DuPage, and an instructor for a fire investigator module at the College of DuPage.