Andrew Downey has been promoted to deputy chief of the Glen Ellyn Police Department, the village announced Oct. 29, filling the post left by retiring Deputy Chief Kurt Vavra.
Downey brings more than 23 years on the force to the role, according to Shaw Local. He started as a patrol officer in September 2003, rose to sergeant in 2016 and was promoted to commander in 2022, serving in both administrative and operational leadership positions.
His entire career has been in Glen Ellyn.
As commander of administration, Downey led the department to full compliance with Illinois SAFE-T Act training requirements ahead of the state's 2025 deadline, according to a village news release. He also led efforts to strengthen officer recruitment and update departmental policies.
In the deputy chief role, Downey will help oversee the department's operations, personnel and administrative functions, the release said.
Downey said in the announcement that he is grateful for the opportunity, having spent his entire law enforcement career serving Glen Ellyn. He said he looks forward to supporting the department's staff and helping lead the organization going forward.
He earned a master's degree in organizational leadership from Lewis University in August 2026 and a bachelor's degree in law enforcement and justice administration from Western Illinois University. He also graduated from Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command and completed the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association's (FBI-LEEDA) leadership training series.
His honors include the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award, Northwestern University's Executive Leadership Award and the Glen Ellyn Police Department's Police Officer of the Year award in both 2009 and 2012.
The village has not announced an effective date for the promotion or for Vavra's retirement.
