A retirement farewell message from Dan Ferrelli, public information officer of the Aurora Police Department:
Almost 23 years ago, I reported for my first day of duty with the Aurora Police.
When I walked into the old police station, it reminded me of the TV show Hill Street Blues. It was way too crowded, loud and chaotic. But it also had an atmosphere of men and women, dressed in blue, with one mission— help those who needed help. I was hooked.
At the time, Bill Lawler, who would go on to become Chief of Police, was a Sergeant. I remember like it was yesterday. He said, “Cherish every minute. It will be gone before you know it.” Truer words have never been spoken.
I was baptized by fire.
Two weeks after I started, there was a horrific double murder on Aurora’s West Side at which the responding officers discovered the victims’ baby crawling on the bodies of his parents. The one thing that affects the most seasoned police officer is tragedies involving children. I could tell the anguish on the faces of the responding officers. Yet they moved forward knowing their mission was to bring justice for the child and the family.
A month later was the flood of 1996 when then Chief Dave Stover said to me, “Come on. Let’s go for a ride.” We proceeded to check out the Far West and near South East sides of the city— the areas hardest hit. I remember thinking, ‘I’ve never seen devastation like this’. Even more powerful was the look on the Chief’s face of true anxiety for the people of Aurora. I was amazed at the officers working with firefighters and other City employees on 12-hour shifts coming to the rescue of flood victims even as their own homes were under water. Not once did I hear a complaint. They had a job to do and they did it without question.
In November, 1996, a 6-year-old angel, Nicholas “Nico” Contreras was senselessly murdered. Like everyone in the community, I couldn’t fathom this crime but it was still my job to try and explain what occurred. What was apparent at the police department, was every officer and detective involved in the case was dedicated to making sure whoever was responsible was held accountable. Their goal was reached many years later.
I mention those first five months to illustrate a cornerstone for the impending 23 years.
I always have been and will continue to be in awe of the men and women of the Aurora Police.
I was frequently called out to scenes of murders and other violent crimes especially in my early years with the department. While my job was to ultimately talk about the incidents, I always took note of the determination of the Officers and Investigators working the cases— many times, in the middle of the night. Those call outs became much less frequent in recent years due to the efforts of the police, the community and the policy makers working together to address the crime challenges. We went from 357 shootings and 26 homicides in my first year with the department to a little over 100 shootings and four homicides in 2018.
On the other hand, there have been few days that have gone by without me hearing of one of our officers helping someone in need. It was frequently not someone victimized by crime. Examples? An officer paying out of his own pocket for a baseball glove for a child who would not otherwise be able to afford it. An officer changing the tire on the car of a woman who experienced a flat. Officers delivering Christmas gifts to dozens of families, who, if not for the Aurora Police, would not have had a Christmas. The list is long and it goes on and on.
When they were approached with acts of thanks, they simply say, “I was doing my job”.
And they do these deeds while responding to incidents involving the worst times of peoples’ lives.
Shootings, robberies, burglaries, vehicle crashes. They respond to those calls with professionalism, compassion and a great sense of caring because, “They are doing their jobs.”
And for 23 years, these are the men and women I have had the privilege to work with side by side. My coworkers did not become my friends. They became my brothers and sisters. Not a bad gig.
And by serving with them I have had the distinct pleasure of serving the citizens of Aurora. It’s not a role I have ever taken lightly. I lived almost my entire life in this City. It has been an honor and a privilege.
They say all good things must come to an end. It is with very mixed emotions I am leaving the Aurora Police Department. While it’s time to move on to a new chapter in my life, it is also a time to reflect and give thanks.
To the four mayors, the City Councils and five Police Chiefs to whom I have served, I say thank you for your trust and support. To the citizens of Aurora, I thank you for your unending efforts in making this a better City.
I planned on thanking individuals who especially helped me in my career. I quickly realized that would be impossible simply because of the length of the list. I will, however, thank my best friend, my mentor and my brother, Dan Donka. He’s a retired Sergeant. He taught me what it meant to be a member of the Aurora Police.
-Dan Ferrelli