January 15, 2025
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Oswego deputy police chief honored for 26 years of service

Chris Biggs joined the department in 1998

By Eric Schelkopf
Oswego Police Chief Jason Bastin, middle, and Oswego Village President Ryan Kauffman, right, honor retiring Oswego Police Deputy Chief Chris Biggs, left, during the Dec. 10 Oswego Committee-of-the-Whole meeting.

Oswego Police Chief Jason Bastin, middle, and Oswego Village President Ryan Kauffman, right, honor retiring Oswego Police Deputy Chief Chris Biggs, left, during the Dec. 10 Oswego Committee-of-the-Whole meeting. (Eric Schelkopf)

Oswego Deputy Police Chief Chris Biggs is being honored for his accomplishments as he retires from the department after 26 years of service.

Biggs was honored at the Dec. 10 Oswego Committee-of-the-Whole meeting. He started with the department in June 1998 as a patrol officer and rose through the ranks.

In June 2023, he was sworn in as the new deputy police chief of field operations.

Members of Biggs’ family attended the meeting. Oswego Police Chief Jason Bastin acknowledged the sacrifices law enforcement officers have to make.

“A career in law enforcement is always tough on the families so thank you for letting us borrow him for the last nearly three decades,” he said. “We really appreciate it. It worked out pretty well for us.”

Bastin talked about Biggs' “big heart.”

Oswego Police Chief Jason Bastin, right, gives retiring Oswego Deputy Police Chief Chris Biggs, left, a hug during the Dec. 10 Oswego Committee-of-the-Whole meeting.

Oswego Police Chief Jason Bastin, right, gives retiring Oswego Deputy Police Chief Chris Biggs, left, a hug during the Dec. 10 Oswego Committee-of-the-Whole meeting. (Eric Schelkopf)

“When you lose an officer like Chris, you lose a little bit of your heart and soul,” Bastin said. “And with Chris, it was a pretty big piece, because he was a big part of our department.”

Bastin also read part of Biggs' retirement letter.

“I remember when I was hired and one question was asked of me – Why do you want to be a police officer? My answer then and my answer has always been, to help people, to care for people and help others. I believe I’ve done that to the best of my ability, even at the sacrifice of those closest to me, including myself."

During the meeting, Oswego Village President Ryan Kauffman read a proclamation honoring Biggs and his work throughout the years.

“Chris developed the initial rapid deployment program for the Oswego Police Department after the Columbine shooting and served as an instructor for 24 years,” Kauffman said.

The proclamation acknowledges his work as both a member and Assistant Commander of the Kendall County Special Response Team along with being a member of the ILEAS Weapons of Mass Destruction Team.

Biggs also served as an undercover agent for the Kendall County Cooperative Police Assistance Team. The purpose of CPAT is to combat the trafficking of illegal narcotics, controlled substances, dangerous drugs, gun crimes and gang-related crimes.