6 Aurora Police Officers Retire Since Start Of 2023

AURORA, IL — Since the start of the new year, six officers have announced their retirement from the Aurora Police Department.

All but one of the officers' retirement announcements were posted on Facebook along with a description of their career and achievements.

Compared to the six officers who retired in the month since 2023 started, 13 retired in 2021 and 17 in 2022, according to spokesperson Karl Holappa.

"As far as retirement trends, officer retirement numbers are generally cyclical in that it can directly correlate to the number of officers that were hired in specific years," he told Patch.

Holappa said "large numbers" of officers were hired in response to former President Bill Clinton passing the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act in 1994. At the time it was passed, it was considered the largest crime bill, providing 100,000 new police officers, $9.7 billion in funding for prisons and $6.1 billion in funding for prevention programs.

Now, many of those officers are now reaching retirement age, which could account for the number of officers departing in January, Holappa said.

RELATED: Officer Retires After Nearly 21 Years Serving Aurora Police Department

Here's a look at the newly retired officers and their career accomplishments, according to posts from the police department. One officer did not want the event to be publicized, Holappa said.

Robert W. Dase

Dase, whose retirement began Jan. 27, was appointed a police officer Sept. 16, 2002. Throughout his career, he served as a patrol officer and field training officer.

Joseph G. Orosco

Orosco, who retired Jan. 24, started out as a cadet on July 29, 1991. He became a community service officer Nov. 27, 1993, and was appointed a police officer Jan. 24, 1994.

He spent his career working in several areas within the Aurora Police Department. Beyond his first three roles, he also worked as a school resource officer at East Aurora High School, as a field training officer, DARE instructor, youth officer and special response team member.

He was named employee of the month in August 1995.

David M. Adams

Adams, who retired Jan. 23, began his career with the Aurora Police Department as a cadet July 29, 1991. On Nov. 27, 1993, he became a community service officer, and on Jan. 24, 1994, he was appointed a police officer.

Throughout his career, he also served as a Community-Oriented Policing officer, an evidence technician, a street evidence technician, a drone pilot and the treasurer of the Police Benevolent and Protective Association.

Jeffrey L. Parrish

Parrish, who retired Jan. 6, was appointed a police officer May 30, 2000. He worked across areas of the police department throughout his career, serving as a patrol officer, Community-Orienteed Policing officer, general assignment detective and Special Operations Group investigator.

Parrish was named co-employee of the month in December 2003, January 2004 and September 2009, when he was also named co-employee of the year.

Che H. Earwood

Earwood, who retired Jan. 1, was appointed police officer on April 1, 2002. For much of his career, he served as a patrol officer in the Patrol Services division. He also served as a field training officer.

During his tenure with the department, Earwood was honored for his heroic efforts, receiving the Medal of Valor for rescuing someone from the Fox River on Dec. 31, 2004.