Eric Rossi is the new police chief in Orland Park. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)
Rossi sworn in as Orland Park’s top cop
By Jeff Vorva
There was a heavy police presence at Monday’s Village of Orland Park Board of Trustees meeting, but it had nothing to do with controversy over a hot-button issue, which usually brings the men and women in blue to meetings.
No, this gathering of cops both young and old were to witness the swearing in of their new police chief—one who rose through their own ranks.
Eric Rossi, the interim chief since April after Joseph Mitchell retired in late March, takes the top spot after the board unanimously approved the 44-year-old Rossi’s appointment
He has seemingly done it all as an Orland Park policeman in the past 17 years. He’s been a patrol officer, bicycle patrol officer, field training officer, investigator, patrol sergeant, lieutenant in administration, investigations commander and deputy chief.
After being sworn in, Rossi had some thanking to do, especially when it came to his family.
“To my friends and family who took time out of their day to come here, I thank you,” he said. “Thank you for your support throughout the years and everything you have ever done for me.
“To my wife, my mom and dad and two daughters, thank you for everything. The 2 a.m. phone calls, the 39 hours working a murder case…thank you.
“To the men and women of the Orland Park Police Department, these are the workers who make this town safe. Thank you for everything that you do.”
Rossi has also served on the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force as an investigator and assistant commander.
“You are going to do a great job,” Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau said at the meeting. “I know we picked the right guy. I know that the chiefs that preceded you worked you all the way up the department for this role.
They trained you, they prepared you and they know that you’re ready. We know that you’re ready. So, we’re looking forward to your tenure as chief.”
The past two chiefs, Mitchell and Tim McCarthy, were on hand to support Rossi.
Trustee Sean Kampas said that Rossi has been trained by the best.
“It’s been a distinct pleasure to learn about the operations of a world-class police department that has been built on a culture of excellence,” he said. “It’s especially fitting that the torch of leadership be passed with someone who is as intimately involved in the continuous improvement of the department as you have been over your many years of service.
“In our individual conversations with Chief Mitchell and Chief McCarthy and the discussions with the women and men of the department, I have no doubt that you demonstrate expert competency as well as a high degree of passion for the officers and the staff of the department, the security of our businesses and the safety of our residents.”
Rossi is a graduate of Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Illinois University and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Lewis University. He is married and has two children.
He was raised in Tinley Park, attended Andrew High School and served as a caddy at Crystal Tree Country Club growing up.
He takes over for Mitchell, who left to become the chief in Wilmington. Mitchell was with the force for 27 years including the past two years as chief.
Pekau addressed the police in attendance and lauded them for their work over the years.
“Chief Rossi coming through the department from the very beginning is a reflection on all of you and what a great department that we have from top to bottom,” the mayor said. “We can develop our own leaders and we do throughout the department. We have the best department in the state of Illinois and that’s because of you and it’s because of the leadership.”
1 Comment
Local News
Local priest under investigation for alleged abuse
A priest who has served at several southwest suburban parishes is under investigation for alleged sexual abuse of a minor. The Rev. Martin “Marty” Marren has been directed to step aside while the investigation takes place, according to the Chicago Archdiocese. Marren reportedly said he is innocent but agreed to cooperate with the investigation. Marren…
Caregiver charged in elderly exploitation in Palos Heights gold watch heist
A 41-year-old Chicago woman was arrested Monday on charges of financial exploitation of the elderly after allegedly stealing and pawning a 93-year-old Palos Heights resident’s watch. Police said the victim reported the theft Oct. 24, believing an in-home caregiver was responsible. Investigators used a description of the watch to locate it at a local pawn…
Palos Hills Honors Veterans with Heartfelt Memorial Service
With reverence and gratitude, Palos Hills honored its veterans Saturday at a moving memorial service, where community members gathered to pay tribute to those who have served and continue to serve. Veterans, local officials, and residents filled the Palos Hills Community Center, joining in a collective expression of respect for military service and sacrifice. The…
Basketball 2024-25: The Southwest Regional Publishing X/Twitter previews
Editor’s note: Coaches in the Southwest Regional Publishing coverage area are encouraged to submit preseason information by email to: mikeclarkpreps@gmail.com. Boys Acero-Soto: Wolf Pack looking to take step forward after 1-win season. Top 2 scorers return in senior Gs Cruz Lopez, Tony Macias. Also expected to contribute: G Favio Hernandez, C Alexander Bahena, PG Enrique…
Jack Elliott, Mount Carmel race into Class 7A quarterfinals
Jack Elliott is running again, and that spells trouble for the rest of Class 7A. Elliott, Mount Carmel’s senior quarterback and a Vanderbilt commit, missed time with an injury in the regular season. He was limited to passing when he returned. But in the Caravan’s 48-15 win against visiting St. Charles North on Nov. 9,…
Travis Stamm’s big night helps unbeaten Lyons roll
Travis Stamm of Lyons was noticeable in the first half Nov. 8, grabbing a pair of touchdown passes, but the savvy senior noticed something that the average fan likely did not. The Lions, in his estimation, were flat, even leading Downers Grove South by a pair of touchdowns. So, like a good captain, he took…
Loyola rallies to end Marist’s season in Class 8A second round
The deeper you go in the playoffs, the smaller the margin of error becomes. Marist found out how small Nov. 9 on their cozy home field. The RedHawks made only a handful of mistakes in the course of 48 minutes in their Class 8A second-round game against Loyola, but those miscues cost them dearly. The…
Steven Armbruster sets TD record as St. Rita advances
What stands out about St. Rita quarterback Steven Armbruster to Mustangs coach Martin Hopkins? “Steven works hard,” Hopkins said. “And he prepares very hard. When you work hard like he does in practice, the more comfortable you are on game day and that makes things easier for us. “Steven puts the team in good positions…
IHSA football playoffs: Second-round results, quarterfinal pairings
With seedings and records in parentheses. Class 7A and Class 8A are seeded 1-32, while the other six classes are seeded in two 1-16 brackets. Second round Class 8A Loyola 24, Marist 20 Lyons 63, Downers Grove South 20 Class 7A St. Rita 21, Willowbrook 9 Mount Carmel 48. St. Charles North 15 Class 6A,…
Neighbors
Local priest under investigation for alleged abuse
A priest who has served at several southwest suburban parishes is under investigation for alleged sexual abuse of a minor. The Rev. Martin “Marty” Marren has been directed to step aside while the investigation takes place, according to the Chicago Archdiocese. Marren reportedly said he is innocent but agreed to cooperate with the investigation. Marren…
Caregiver charged in elderly exploitation in Palos Heights gold watch heist
A 41-year-old Chicago woman was arrested Monday on charges of financial exploitation of the elderly after allegedly stealing and pawning a 93-year-old Palos Heights resident’s watch. Police said the victim reported the theft Oct. 24, believing an in-home caregiver was responsible. Investigators used a description of the watch to locate it at a local pawn…
Palos Hills Honors Veterans with Heartfelt Memorial Service
With reverence and gratitude, Palos Hills honored its veterans Saturday at a moving memorial service, where community members gathered to pay tribute to those who have served and continue to serve. Veterans, local officials, and residents filled the Palos Hills Community Center, joining in a collective expression of respect for military service and sacrifice. The…
Basketball 2024-25: The Southwest Regional Publishing X/Twitter previews
Editor’s note: Coaches in the Southwest Regional Publishing coverage area are encouraged to submit preseason information by email to: mikeclarkpreps@gmail.com. Boys Acero-Soto: Wolf Pack looking to take step forward after 1-win season. Top 2 scorers return in senior Gs Cruz Lopez, Tony Macias. Also expected to contribute: G Favio Hernandez, C Alexander Bahena, PG Enrique…
Jack Elliott, Mount Carmel race into Class 7A quarterfinals
Jack Elliott is running again, and that spells trouble for the rest of Class 7A. Elliott, Mount Carmel’s senior quarterback and a Vanderbilt commit, missed time with an injury in the regular season. He was limited to passing when he returned. But in the Caravan’s 48-15 win against visiting St. Charles North on Nov. 9,…
Travis Stamm’s big night helps unbeaten Lyons roll
Travis Stamm of Lyons was noticeable in the first half Nov. 8, grabbing a pair of touchdown passes, but the savvy senior noticed something that the average fan likely did not. The Lions, in his estimation, were flat, even leading Downers Grove South by a pair of touchdowns. So, like a good captain, he took…
Loyola rallies to end Marist’s season in Class 8A second round
The deeper you go in the playoffs, the smaller the margin of error becomes. Marist found out how small Nov. 9 on their cozy home field. The RedHawks made only a handful of mistakes in the course of 48 minutes in their Class 8A second-round game against Loyola, but those miscues cost them dearly. The…
Steven Armbruster sets TD record as St. Rita advances
What stands out about St. Rita quarterback Steven Armbruster to Mustangs coach Martin Hopkins? “Steven works hard,” Hopkins said. “And he prepares very hard. When you work hard like he does in practice, the more comfortable you are on game day and that makes things easier for us. “Steven puts the team in good positions…
IHSA football playoffs: Second-round results, quarterfinal pairings
With seedings and records in parentheses. Class 7A and Class 8A are seeded 1-32, while the other six classes are seeded in two 1-16 brackets. Second round Class 8A Loyola 24, Marist 20 Lyons 63, Downers Grove South 20 Class 7A St. Rita 21, Willowbrook 9 Mount Carmel 48. St. Charles North 15 Class 6A,…
Congratulations! We’re proud to have you as our Police Chief.