‘His experience and background have prepared him well’

ROCHELLE — Rochelle City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh has selected Officer Pete Pavia to serve as the Rochelle Police Department’s interim chief following Chief Eric Higby’s retirement announcement. Pavia is currently assigned to Rochelle Township High School as a school resource officer. The City of Rochelle and RTHS are working together to fill the resource officer position at RTHS.

“I look forward to working more closely with Pavia,” Fiegenschuh said. “His experience and background have prepared him well to serve as our interim police chief.”

Pavia has over 25 years of law enforcement experience at various levels of leadership including as a field training officer, detective, first line supervisor and acting chief. Pavia holds a degree in criminal justice and is currently completing a master’s degree in business administration and organizational leadership. He is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.

“The department’s future looks very bright overall,” Pavia said. “We have a young and eager-to-learn agency that truly understands their roles as public servants.”