By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our mobile app
ROCKFORD — Three Rockford Police Department officers who have more than 63 years of combined service with the city moved up in the ranks on Friday during a promotions ceremony at the District 1 police station.
Mark Danner, who has been with the department since 2005, was promoted from investigator to sergeant. Bradley Stien, who came to the Rockford department in 2000 after five years with the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant. Ty Eagleson, who has been with RPD since 1998, was promoted from lieutenant to assistant deputy chief.
“Today we would like pay tribute to your dedication, your commitment, your innovative approach and your professionalism as you take that next step as sergeant, lieutenant and assistant deputy chief,” said Ingrid Hargrove, a member of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. “As you look forward to the opportunities and challenges that await you in your new role, I hope that they are many and varied and they force you out of your comfort zone.”
More news: Winnebago County state’s attorney files lawsuit to halt the SAFE-T Act
The promotions come after retirements within the department. Eagleson fills the role of Assistant Deputy Chief Scott Olson, who retired after 29 years with the department.
Eagleson is the son of two police officers. His late mother, Kay, was among the first female police officers with the Rockford Police Department. She stepped away to raise her family before joining the Cherry Valley Police Department for more than 25 years. His father, Dennis, retired after 29 years with the department.
“The most important thing he told me: My first day at Cherry Valley, when I was getting ready to go out on the street, he told me to treat everyone the way you want to be treated,” Eagleson said. “It’s a simple piece of advice, but it goes a long way.”
The promotions come as the department is also looking to hire at least a dozen entry-level officers.
More news: A pictorial look at Rockford’s new Screw City Mural series in Davis Park
The department is working to recruit applicants to apply at rpdwantsyou.com by Oct. 31. The starting salary is $59,169.
“If they ever thought they might want to be a part of the police, now is a great opportunity,” Chief Carla Redd said.
The department has 274 offices out of an authorized strength 302.
“I’ve got some hiring to do,” Redd said. “From the time we hire them, get them trained and get them on the street it’s about a year.”
Mark Danner | promoted to sergeant
About: Investigator Mark Danner joined the Rockford Police Department on Jan. 31, 2005. He has worked in the Field Services Bureau patrol and served as a field-training officer. On March 26, 2017, Danner was promoted to investigator and assigned to the Operations Bureau, Traffic Unit day shift.
Danner received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Illinois State University.
He will be assigned to the Field Services Bureau.
More news: Will 400 inmates be released from the county jail Jan. 1? It depends on this key interpretation of the new law
Bradley Stien | promoted to lieutenant
About: Sergeant Bradley Stien was with the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy for five years prior to joining the Rockford Police Department on Aug. 21, 2000. He was assigned to Field Services Bureau patrol, the Bike Unit and the M3 Streets Team. On Nov. 5, 2013, Stein was promoted to sergeant and assigned to patrol and supervisor of the M3 Street Team. He was later assigned to Rockford Housing
Authority Unit.
He has also served as the sniper supervisor on the SWAT team, and has served most of his career as a Firearms Instructor.
He studied computer aided drafting at Rock Valley College.
Stien will be assigned to day shift patrol lieutenant under the command of Assistant Deputy Chief
Eddie Torrance.
Ty Eagleson | promoted to assistant deputy chief
Lieutenant Ty Eagleson joined the Rockford Police Department on March 23, 1998, and was assigned to the Field Services Bureau patrol, Bike Unit, Rockford Housing Authority Unit, and M3 Street Team.
In May 2010, he was promoted to investigator and assigned to the Investigative Services Bureau Gang Unit. In December of 2013, Eagleson was assigned to the Winnebago County Violent Crimes Task Force. In July 2014, he was promoted to sergeant and assigned to the Field Services Bureau patrol and later, the SCOPE Unit. He then transferred to the Investigative Services Bureau as the afternoon shift supervisor.
On Nov. 9, 2018, he was promoted to lieutenant and assigned to Field Services night shift. He was then assigned as the District 3 administrative lieutenant, followed by special operations lieutenant, and ultimately the lieutenant for the Investigative Bureau. He also served as commander of the Bomb Squad.
Eagleson is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, receiving an honorable discharge in
1996. He began his law enforcement career at the Cherry Valley Police Department prior
to being hired by Rockford.
He is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Police Staff & Command.
Eagleson is now assigned as the Investigative Services Bureau Commander under the supervision of Deputy Chief Robert Reffett and the overall command of Chief Carla Redd.
Source: City of Rockford Police Department
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.