Dane County Coroner John Stanley died at his DeForest home Sunday afternoon of what appear to be natural causes.
An investigation as to the cause of death, coordinated between the Dane County Coroner’s Office, the DeForest Police Department and the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, has determined that the 63-year-old Stanley’s death was cardiac-related, according to a statement from Chief Deputy Coroner Kurt Karbusicky.
The statement also said the investigation is to be closed pending routine test results.
“John Stanley was a dedicated public servant who committed many years of his life to a challenging profession that called on his expertise all hours of the day, every day of the week,” Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk said in a statement. “John’s compassion and empathy was there for so many families at their most needy times.”
Falk spokesperson Joshua Wescott said Stanley’s death has provoked profound sadness throughout Dane County as it mourns the loss of one of its most dedicated, adding there is “no doubt his absence will be felt.”
Wescott described the Vietnam veteran, firefighter and former EMT as being very committed to a challenging job, maintaining his modesty and humility in what may be a family’s darkest hour.
His ability to be called into different situations and remain focused on the task at hand, yet still maintain his professionalism and sensitivity highlight his commitment to his job and those affected by tragedy, Wescott added.
The responsibilities of a coroner range from investigating and determining a cause of death to informing victim’s relations. Stanley’s post will be filled by Karbusicky on an interim basis.
Stanley first entered the position of deputy coroner in 1991 and was elected to the post of coroner in January 2001, an office he has held since.
In a statement from the Madison Police Department, Chief Noble Wray said Stanley above all else was a professional and considered a friend by many. He also said Stanley worked tirelessly on countless MPD cases.
“His steady hand, wealth of knowledge, kind manner and warm smile will be greatly missed,” Wray said. “He dealt in death, but it was his way of comforting and helping the living cope with painful losses for which he should be remembered.”