Current Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon said it was “not sustainable” to hold his office and the title of sheriff together in the long run.
But in an interview Friday with The State Journal-Register, Allmon said he would uphold “the constitution of (the sheriff’s) office and make sure things run smoothly, make sure that people in this community are safe.”
Allmon’s newest responsibility comes with the retirement of Sheriff Jack Campbell in the wake of the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, in an unincorporated part of Sangamon County on July 6.
Former sheriff’s deputy Sean P. Grayson has been charged with Massey’s murder in a case that has focused national attention on Springfield.
Campbell at first declined to step down, then on Aug. 9 announced his retirement effective at the end of August.
Campbell, 60, had filed a declaration with the county clerk’s office that Chief Deputy Anthony Mayfield would succeed him when he was no longer in office. County spokesman Jeff Wilhite did not clarify if Mayfield, who had been second in command since Nov. 1, 2021, resigned or retired, so statutorily the office went to Allmon. He was named sheriff in the interim on Aug. 19.
According to Illinois law, the Sangamon County Board Chair Andy Van Meter will nominate someone to fill the position on a more permanent within 60 days of Campbell’s vacancy, with confirmation by the county board. That person may serve the remainder of the sheriff’s term until 2026.
Also on Friday, Allmon said he would “absolutely not, 100%” put his hat into the ring to be considered sheriff long-term.
“I want to stay in my own lane (as coroner),” said Allmon, who has been part of the office since 2003 and in the top spot since 2020 after the death of Coroner Cinda Edwards in a plane crash east of Springfield that also claimed her husband and former Mayor Frank Edwards and businessman John Evans.
Allmon, a Republican from rural Pleasant Plains, is running unopposed for coroner on Nov. 5.
As of mid-afternoon Friday, Allmon said he hadn’t stepped foot in the sheriff’s office “out of respect for (Campbell) and his office.”
“Going into this, I want to be there to make sure they know they have support if they need it, they have somebody they can bring things to if they need something and that they will have leadership,” Allmon said. “I could tell you that (the Massey situation is) on everyone’s mind, and I don’t when or how we heal from something like this. What happened was horrific and I know they’re cognizant of that.
“One of the things I would like to do is talk to everybody, from people in the records department and the people in the patrol division, the people in the detective bureau, the correctional officers there, I would like to meet with everyone, and I would like to get an idea of what the temperature is. What are their concerns and what are their recommendations? Where would they like to see their department go?”
Allmon said some of those insights could help inform the Massey Commission, a citizens’ commission set to address systemic issues in law enforcement practices, mental health responses and community relations. The commission is expected to produce a comprehensive report outlining findings, recommendations and proposed actions within a year.
Allmon, 49, is a graduate of Lanphier High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Greenville University. He served in the Army National Guard and is an Island Grove Township trustee and Republican precinct committeeman. He formerly served on the Springfield Metropolitan Exposition & Auditorium Authority (SMEAA).
Allmon gained some national attention a year ago when he announced the coroner’s office was opening an investigation into Heinz Funeral Home in Carlinville after dozens of families were given the wrong cremains.
That led to passage of a bill sponsored by State Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, establishing a chain of custody and a unique identifier standard for human remains.
Macoupin County State’s Attorney Jordan Garrison is still considering charges in the case.
Allmon said he had faith in a committee tasked with finding a sheriff on a more permanent basis.
Meanwhile, Allmon said he’s going to lean more heavily on his staff in the coroner’s office, particularly Chief Deputy Zach Thomas.
“I know he’s capable. I know he’s competent,” Allmon said of Thomas. “I have a great staff and thank goodness that I do.”
Contact StevenSpearie: (217) 622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon takes over as temporary sheriff
