Editorial: Richard Jorgensen for DuPage County coroner.

Since he first ran to become the DuPage County coroner in 2012, Dr. Richard Jorgensen never faced an opponent in an election - until now.

Democrat Gregory Whalen of Clarendon Hills is looking to unseat the two-term Wheaton Republican by touting his experience as a lieutenant with the Glencoe Department of Public Safety. Indeed, Whalen's cross-training as a police officer, firefighter and paramedic is impressive. He clearly has a passion for law enforcement.

But Jorgensen, a retired surgeon who practiced at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, has made the most of his nearly eight years as coroner.

After bringing extensive medical and administrative experience to the office, Jorgensen set out to increase training for deputy coroners, convert from paper to electronic records and find ways to do more with less.

Most memorably, Jorgensen in the fall of 2013 sounded the alarm about heroin overdose deaths in DuPage. While the suburbs had been aware of heroin as a problem drug since the early 2000s, its use began to spike again after 2010.

Jorgensen has since used his position to help educate the public about the dangers of heroin and other drugs.

We would like to see him continue that important work. Jorgensen is endorsed.