Aurora mayor Richard C. Irvin announced last week his choices for Aurora’s next chief of police, deputy chief, and deputy mayor, all veterans of the Aurora Police Department.
“At the inauguration ceremony in May, I said the best is yet to come,” said mayor Irvin. “These three leaders are some of the best.”
Current Aurora Deputy Chief of Police Keith Cross has been selected as the Department’s next leader, taking the baton from Chief Kristen Ziman, who will retire August 6.
“To continue our progress, we need a proven public safety professional who is steady under pressure, firm in resolve, and compassionate and relatable to fellow officers and members of our community,” said Mayor Irvin. “We certainly have that and more in Keith Cross.”
Cross is a 27-year veteran of the Aurora Police Department who joined the force in 1994. He has served in several roles during his tenure, including patrolman, community policing officer, school resource officer, crisis hostage negotiator, coordinator for field officer training, lieutenant, and commander. He was appointed deputy chief in 2020. An East Aurora High School alumnus, Cross graduated from Bemidji State University, the Senior Management Institute for Policing at Boston University, and the FBI National Academy.
Mayor Irvin and Chief-Elect Cross worked together to select Cross’ replacement as deputy chief and selected Commander Matt Thomas to take the helm as second-in-command.
A law enforcement officer for 24 years, Thomas began his career with the Aurora Police Department as a patrolman and, soon after, became an investigator. He served on the DuPage County Major Crimes Task Force and as a cold case Homicide Investigator, where he was named 2008 Officer of the Year by the Kane County Chiefs of Police for his stellar work. He subsequently served in several other capacities, including coordinator of the canine unit, sergeant, lieutenant, manager of the Critical Intelligence Information Center, and most recently, commander.
Rounding out the mayor’s announcement is the selection of Aurora’s next deputy mayor.
“I wanted to have a leader in the Mayor’s Office who knew our community well in general and public safety in particular,” said Mayor Irvin.
Irvin announced retired Aurora Police investigator Guillermo Trujillo is filling the position that has been vacant since the retirement of Chuck Nelson in January.
Trujillo retired last year after a 30-year career in law enforcement. A graduate of East Aurora High School and Waubonsee Community College, Trujillo began as an Aurora police cadet in 1988 and as an APD patrolman in 1990. In 1992, he became an investigator and served in several roles for the next 28 years, including general assignment investigator, gang investigator, auto theft investigator, and violent crimes investigator. Trujillo and his family immigrated to the United States when he was seven years old. He gives credit to his family and community members for providing the foundation needed to build a successful career and life in Aurora.
Deputy mayor Trujillo’s first day on the job was Wednesday, July 14.
The Aurora City Council unanimously approved the appointments of Chief-Elect Keith Cross and Deputy Chief-Elect Matt Thomas Tuesday.
Chief Ziman will be honored at the Aurora City Council Meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 27.
—City of Aurora government