Cops, firefighters promoted in Wheeling

In a village board room filled with their peers and relatives, two Wheeling police officers and three firefighters were promoted to positions of greater authority this week.

Troy Musolf is the police department’s newest deputy chief. He had been serving as a commander. Additionally, Sgt. Dorann Swanson was promoted to commander.

Musolf and Swanson recited their oaths of office and received their new badges during Monday’s village board meeting. Chief Joseph Kopecky praised Musolf and Swanson at the start of the ceremony.

“Trusting the safety of this community, the future of this department and the well-being of our personnel to the right leaders is one of the most important decisions we make,” Kopecky said. “I have every confidence that Deputy Chief Musolf and Cmdr. Swanson are exactly the right people for these roles.”

Musolf has been with the Wheeling Police Department for 22 years, starting as a patrol officer. He’s also served as a youth officer, an evidence technician, a detective and a member of the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force, among other roles. He was promoted to commander in 2021.

After his eldest daughter pinned his new badge onto his dress uniform, Musolf shared some inspiring words with the crowd.

“Leadership isn’t defined by the position you hold,” he said. “It’s defined by the responsibility to accept.”

Swanson is a 29-year veteran of the department who started as a school resource officer. She’s also served as a crime prevention officer, youth officer and evidence technician.

After receiving her new badge from her husband, Swanson thanked her family and her co-workers for their faith in her.

“My brothers and sisters in blue, I appreciate you more than you know,” Swanson said.

Also Monday, Wheeling firefighters Daniel Caruso, Bradley Kliff and Jeffrey Shewfelt were bumped up to lieutenant. Each will lead crews on the ladder truck at Station No. 43, Chief Scott Salela said — one for each shift.

All three men have proved themselves “through training and education and their knowledge and experience,” Salela told the audience.

“We have faith in them that they’ll do an outstanding job,” Salela said.

Caruso is a 20-year veteran of the Wheeling Fire Department.

Kliff just celebrated his 15th anniversary with the department. He previously was a part-time firefighter with the Northbrook Fire Department.

Shewfelt has been with the Wheeling Fire Department for more than 15 years. He previously was a contract paramedic with the Leyden Fire Protection District in the Franklin Park area.