Retiring Prospect Heights police chief praised for service at final city council meeting

Retiring Prospect Heights Police Chief Bill Caponigro and his fellow officials shared mutual praise for their service to residents at his final city council meeting this past Monday.

A 25-year member of the department, Caponigro will hand the reins to current Deputy Chief Milo Derman at a promotional ceremony this coming Monday.

“Police officers often deal with the worst parts of the human condition,” City Administrator Joe Wade said. “But I’ve watched Chief Caponigro during his tenure as chief and what always impressed me about him is he never lost his humanity through that. He’s truly a caring person.”

Caponigro was promoted to chief in April 2022, replacing the last of the department’s original officers as chief. A native of Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood, Caponigro had served the Chicago Housing Authority Police before coming to Prospect Heights in 1999.

“Thank you for all you’ve done,” Mayor Patrick Ludvigsen said. “The chief has always taken everything personally as far as Prospect Heights goes. If someone here is not doing good, the chief was going to make sure that they were dealt with. And we’re a better city for having you here.”

Caponigro assured the council the city was in good hands with his successor, whose leadership potential he recognized a dozen years ago. And he expressed his appreciation for Prospect Heights’ elected officials and fellow hired staff.

“Residents should know that for a small city, they work very much like a large city,” he said. “It’s a great city run by great people.”

During the promotional ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Old Orchard Country Club in neighboring Mount Prospect, Derman will become chief, Mark Pufundt deputy chief, and Keith O’Connor a sergeant.