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RESOLUTION HONORING DEPUTY CHIEF DION T. TROTTER FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
WHEREAS, Deputy Chief Dion T. Trotter has devoted his life and career to public service, leadership, and the protection of residents and vulnerable populations throughout Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Deputy Chief Trotter honorably served his country in the United States Navy and continued his commitment to public service by joining the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in 1997 as a Deputy Sheriff assigned to the Court Services Division at Juvenile Court; and
WHEREAS, in 2000, he became a State-Certified Juvenile Officer, further strengthening his expertise in youth protection and juvenile justice; and
WHEREAS, Deputy Chief Trotter distinguished himself through assignments in the Juvenile Warrant Unit and the Warrants, Levies, and Evictions Unit, building a strong foundation in field operations and court procedures; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, his professionalism and leadership earned him promotion to Deputy Sergeant, where he supervised operations at Police Court South, the Markham Sixth District Courthouse, and the Cook County Sheriff’s Merit Board, conducting background investigations for new hires; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, he transitioned to the Sheriff’s Police Department as a Police Officer, serving in the Markham Sixth District and the Ford Heights area, where he provided exceptional patrol services; and
WHEREAS, in 2011, his investigative skills earned him assignment to the Investigations Division, where he attained the rank of Detective; and
WHEREAS, in October 2012, Sheriff Tom Dart selected Detective Trotter to create and lead the Child Protection Response Unit (CPRU), established to assist the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and law-enforcement partners in locating missing juveniles; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, under his leadership, the CPRU was expanded and formally designated as the Child Rescue Unit (CRU), enhancing investigative capacity through strengthened collaboration between the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and DCFS; and
WHEREAS, since its inception, the Child Rescue Unit has successfully located more than 1,300 missing juveniles, including infants, and remains one of the most effective child-recovery teams in the State of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Deputy Chief Trotter’s leadership led to promotions to Sergeant of the Child Rescue Unit in 2015, Police Lieutenant in 2019, Commander of the Special Victims Unit in 2020, and Deputy Chief in 2022; and
WHEREAS, as Deputy Chief, he has overseen human trafficking initiatives, child protection programs, and the Special Victims Division, and was instrumental in establishing and expanding specialized units including the Missing Persons Unit, Gun Tracer Unit, Victim Support Services Unit, and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit; and
WHEREAS, in October 2023, under his leadership, the Special Victims Unit conducted a coordinated undercover human trafficking operation resulting in the arrest of ten individuals in a two-week period, one of the most significant anti-trafficking enforcement efforts in the division’s history, publicly recognized by Sheriff Tom Dart; and
WHEREAS, Deputy Chief Trotter serves as a trusted partner and subject-matter expert on numerous federal, state, and regional bodies, including the Illinois Child Death Review Team, Illinois Children’s Justice Task Force, Illinois Childhood Trauma Coalition, Southland Juvenile Justice Council, Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force, and the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Child Sex Trafficking Task Force, and is a member of the FBI National Academy Associates, International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, he was entrusted with leading the Sheriff’s countywide recruitment strategy, implementing innovative community partnerships that resulted in a significant increase in applicants; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, Deputy Chief Trotter was appointed to lead the Sheriff’s Retention Unit, continuing to strengthen employee engagement, professional development, and workforce stability; and
WHEREAS, his distinguished career includes numerous honors, including the Meritorious Award, the 2023 National Sheriffs’ Association Award for Child Protection, the Cook County Sheriff’s Above and Beyond Award, multiple unit citations, and departmental commendations; and
WHEREAS, Deputy Chief Trotter is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and the FBI National Academy, reflecting the highest standards of law-enforcement leadership; and
WHEREAS, Deputy Chief Trotter is a proud United States Navy veteran, a devoted husband, and a dedicated father to one son; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this body formally recognizes and honors Deputy Chief Dion T. Trotter for his extraordinary service, exemplary leadership, and lifelong dedication to the people of Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be presented to Deputy Chief Dion T. Trotter as an expression of gratitude and deep appreciation for his outstanding career and enduring contributions.
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