Aurora Names New Deputy Police, Fire Chiefs

AURORA, IL — Thousands tuned in to the City of Aurora’s Facebook page Tuesday to watch as the City Council named new deputy chiefs for the city’s police and fire departments. Keith Cross is now second-in-command at the Police Department, and David McCabe will begin his new role with the Aurora Fire Department May 9. Both men’s promotions were unanimously approved by the council.

Cross, who was promoted from police commander, is a 26-year veteran of the Aurora Police Department. He was immediately sworn in Tuesday via Zoom to start his new role, following former Deputy Chief Keefe Jackson’s retirement from the department Friday.

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Cross joined the department in 1994 and has served across a number of roles, including as a community-oriented police officer, a school resource officer and an instructor in the department’s drug-abuse and gang-education programs. Cross was promoted to sergeant in 2005, lieutenant in 2008 and commander in 2016.

After thanking his family, friends, colleagues and mentors, Cross said he was excited to get down to work as deputy chief.

“I’m excited to start my new position, and I look forward to working with the community members and members of city government to continue to move the city forward and make it second to none,” Cross said.

Assistant Fire Chief David McCabe will succeed Deputy Fire Chief John Gilbert, who is set to retire May 9. McCabe is a 23-year veteran of the department, and has previously served as a firefighter, paramedic, company officer, battalion chief and training director.

McCabe thanked his family and all who have supported him and recalled “looking up at the white-shirted chief officers in awe” when he joined the department as a recruit more than two decades ago. He paid a special tribute to his colleagues in the Aurora Fire Department.

“They are truly the best in the business and I am honored to serve with them everyday, especially as they continue to respond to calls throughout this pandemic,” McCabe after virtually taking the oath of office from his home.

Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin said the city would host a formal ceremony, when possible, to congratulate Cross and McCabe on their promotions.