Algonquin’s Veteran Deputy Chief Leaving Post

While Algonquin Deputy Chief Ed Urban is retiring from the department, he’s not ready to sit back and collect his Social Security.

Urban is retiring from his post to pursue a new career.

He has been in law enforcement for 29 years starting with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office as a corrections officer then the   Northern Illinois Department of Public Safety in DeKalb as an officer. Urban joined the Algonquin police department in October 1987.

Urban has also taught courses at McHenry County College in law enforcement. He graduated from Columbia College with a degree in criminal justice administration. He is a former McHenry County Historical Society board member who volunteers when he can. Urban also writes a local history column for a monthly Marengo newspaper.

 His unofficial last day is May 15.

Urban could not give any details about his new job, which he is starting on May 17. Algonquin police will hold a coffee for him and a dinner later this month.

“Ed is a very dynamic, very energetic, very wise leader,” Algonquin Chief Russell Laine. “We certainly will miss him.”

Urban rose through the ranks becoming deputy chief. He played an important role in the department’s recent Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation. He is also worked on the village’s Emergency Management plan.

Although he is leaving for a new job, Urban will miss Algonquin.

“One of the things we’ve had is a very, very stable government. It’s a really nice community and we’ve had a lot of support from the community,” Urban said, adding he will miss the people who work at the police department and the village.