1st African-American Female Deputy Coroner In 188-Year History

(The following edited press release was submitted by Algernon H. Penn.)

JOLIET, IL — Will County Deputy Coroner Jhade Posley was honored by local non-profit organization Men of Valor II for her service as the first African American female Deputy Coroner in the 188-year history of the county.

Posley was honored for her work as deputy coroner for the past four years. Posley graduated from Joliet West High School in 2004. She also has an associates of science degree in funeral directing/cremation and embalming from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in March of 2013.

While she has always understood the historical nature of her work, Posley doesn’t lose perspective on the civic importance of her responsibilities to the people of Will County.

“My job is to determine the cause of death in my day-to-day function. That responsibility is a large one that is has impact on many here in Will County.”

Posley's other responsibilities range from determining the time of death and the causes of death. She stated, “Many times our office must determine if a person passed away of a natural death or not. The process of determining if an autopsy needs to be performed begins from the time we observe the decedent. If the coroner’s office deemed it to be a natural death, then an autopsy is not necessary.”

In a case of a possible homicide, Posley says that her office then progresses to an examination of the decedent to determine the time of death; injuries that can be consistent to contributing to a possible homicide; preparation of investigative reports and then engaging law enforcement officials by preparing investigative reports and preserving evidence.

But many in Posley’s family have been in awe and have marveled at her accomplishment. Her uncle and her parents are basking in her achievements. But as we move through Black History Month, Posley said her greatest satisfaction is providing a strong, stable image to young women.

As a product of the city of Joliet, Posley is really proud of her accomplishments as Will County’s Deputy Coroner. But she is very fond of what she has given back to her community by mentoring young girls from the ages 12 and up. She founded the non-profit Daughters of Promise, which gives a platform of dance for young girls as safe place to share their issues as young women.

Men of Valor II salutes Jhade Posley for her dedication to her community as a leader, role model and as a trailblazer. She is our Joliet 2024 History Maker.