The city of Aurora and the Aurora Police Department are mourning the death of the police chief who initiated the city’s first 911 service, its first SWAT team and an array of crime-stopping programs that still exist today.

Police Chief Robert E. “Bob” Brent, 77, passed away May 5 at his home after a lengthy illness, but the legacy of his 28-year career with the Aurora Police Department will be long remembered.

After being hired in 1961, Brent was instrumental in helping to coordinate the complete restructuring of the Police Department following an extensive survey by the Michigan State School of Police Administration in 1966. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1968, lieutenant in 1971, and captain in 1974. When he was appointed in 1977 as Aurora’s 21st chief of police, he was one of the youngest chiefs in the country to lead a department in a city the size of Aurora. He retired Sept. 1, 1989.

During his career, Brent oversaw the implementation of 911 service and computer aided dispatch in Aurora, organized the first Special Response Team, planned and implemented the department’s first cadet program and introduced Crime Stoppers, Neighborhood Watch, and several other high-profile community initiatives.

Born Feb. 20, 1939, in Thackeray, IL, Brent became a resident of Aurora in 1946 and attended East Aurora Schools, graduating in 1957 from East Aurora High School. He would go on to attend the University of Louisville, University of Illinois, Michigan State University, and earned a Bachelor of Law degree from LaSalle Extension University of Chicago. He also received specialized training at the FBI and U.S. Secret Service Academies and served on the adjunct faculty of Aurora University and the Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois.

“The city of Aurora has lost a true leader with the passing of Bob Brent,” said Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner. “Chief Brent was not only a pioneer in modern law enforcement but his exceptional contributions also impacted numerous social and civic organizations that made Aurora a better place to live. His love for the city is only exceeded by his love for his family. He will be missed.”

“No one loved the Aurora Police Department more than Robert E. Brent,” said current Chief Kristen Ziman. “He touched the careers of hundreds of officers and reminded them of the importance of respect for the people they served and the law enforcement profession as a whole. He has left an indelible mark not only on the history of the Aurora Police but on the entire city.”

Following his retirement, Brent was the director of public relations at Alarm Detection Systems in Aurora for 15 years.

An active and dedicated community volunteer, Brent was especially proud of his 44-year involvement with the Kiwanis Club of Aurora, where he served as club president, was named Kiwanian of the Year, and was responsible for the creation of the Golden K Kiwanis Club of Aurora. He also served as a Scout leader for many years. His leadership in civic organizations included the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, the former Mercy Center Foundation Board and many other church and civic clubs. He was a life-time member of the Juvenile Protective Association and was active in the Illinois and International Associations of Chiefs of Police.

Brent is survived by his wife of 55 years, Janice, son Mark (Kristen), daughter Ann Marie (Joseph) Pawlisz, seven grandchildren, sister Beverly Williams, brother Gary Brent, brother-in-law Dr. Richard Olson and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, May 9, at the Daleiden Mortuary, 220 N. Lake St., Aurora. The funeral will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 10, at Holy Angels Church, 720 Hardin, Aurora.

SOURCE: City of Aurora news release