Deputy Police Chief Retires After Quarter-Century Of Service

AURORA, IL — Aurora Deputy Police Chief Keefe Jackson made his final call over the radio Friday, ending his tour of duty in the city after 25 years. At the end of his shift on a day named in his honor, Jackson called in his status as “10-42,” marking his retirement from the department.

“To all Aurora personnel, thank you guys for the opportunity to work with me and allow me to work with you,” Jackson said over the radio. “Just know that we have one of the best agencies in the world. I appreciate everything that everyone’s done for me to help me advance within my career, and I wish you all the best and success in the world.”

“Charlie 98, show me 10-42,” Jackson said.

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Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman accepted Jackson’s final call and thanked him for his service.

“You have left this organization better than you found it,” Ziman said. “Thank you for your service to our country and to our police department and to our city. We will miss you.”

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Tributes poured in over the radio from Jackson’s colleagues as he made his way through a corridor of police vehicles, with officers saluting as he drove past the Aurora Police Department’s headquarters for the final time as a member of the force.

Jackson could be seen tearing up as officers congratulated him, wished him a happy retirement and told him he would be missed. The Aurora Police Department on Sunday posted a video of its farewell to Jackson.

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Jackson joined the Aurora Police Department in April 1995. He earned promotions to police sergeant in 2004 and lieutenant in 2010 before being appointed deputy police chief in 2016.

During his career, Jackson worked across a number of divisions in the department, including patrol, Special Operations, the Office of Professional Standards and the Special Response Team, according to his profile on the city’s website. He also worked as an investigator with the Illinois State Police North Central Narcotics Task Force, served on the Aurora Police Honor Guard and coordinated the Aurora Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team.

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Jackson is a retired captain with the U.S. Army National Guard, after serving as a commissioned officer for 23 years. He earned the Bronze Star during his deployment in Iraq, his profile states.

“Policing was not my chosen profession when I left college,” Jackson said in a news release. “It is a profession I feel chose me. As I grew in this profession, it really fit my personality. I really love being of service and making a difference.”

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In honor of his quarter-century of service to the city, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin declared April 24 — Jackson’s final day on the job — as “Keefe Jackson Day” in the city.

“Deputy Chief Keefe Jackson has left an indelible mark on our community through his service to the profession and through his passion for mentoring others — from the new police officers entering the force to the youth in our schools,” an excerpt of the mayor’s proclamation reads.

“Not only have you been an outstanding and exceptional officer, you have been an even better gentleman,” Irvin said in a news release. “You are truly what it means to be a hero.”

The Aurora City Council is expected to approve the appointment of Aurora Police Commander Keith Cross as the department’s new deputy chief during its meeting Tuesday.