Location Oak Park, Illinois, United States Regions Greater Chicago Area, Great Lakes, Midwestern US Gender Female Also Known As Dina Eleni Vardal
Website dinavardal.com/ Facebook View on Facebook LinkedIn View on LinkedIn X (Twitter) View on X
Dina Vardal is a retired law enforcement officer, military veteran, and proud mother who has dedicated her life to service, family, and community. She grew up in Joliet, Illinois, in a home deeply rooted in Greek and Italian traditions. With more than two decades spent in public service, she worked as a SWAT officer, firearms instructor, and
helicopter mechanic with the National Guard. Even after retirement, she found ways to give back, teaching, volunteering, and staying connected to her community through meaningful work.
Born and raised in Joliet, Dina was shaped by her immigrant parents’ strong cultural values. Her father came from the Greek island of Mykonos, and her mother from Ferrara, Italy. Together, they built a life in Illinois, opening Mykonos Gyros, a restaurant that became a hub for food and friendship from 1982 to 1989. Her father also helped establish Vardal Engineering with his brother in 1958, a family business still thriving today. These early experiences instilled in Dina the importance of family, resilience, and community service.
At just 17, Dina joined the Army National Guard, launching her lifelong commitment to public service. She went on to study at Joliet Junior College, earning an Associate in Applied Science in Law Enforcement in 1990. Continuing at Western Illinois University, she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1992 with a degree in Law Enforcement Administration and a minor in Accounting. Years later, she returned to academia while raising a family, earning a Master’s in Organizational Development from Benedictine University in 2007.
Dina’s law enforcement career was both demanding and rewarding. She became a certified SWAT officer, requiring advanced tactical training, and went on to serve as a firearms instructor, teaching concealed carry and mentoring recruits. Her dedication to preparing officers for the challenges of the field reflected her calm leadership and steady professionalism. Colleagues relied on her knowledge, discipline, and ability to guide others through stressful situations, making her an admired figure in her department.
In parallel with her police work, Dina served 22 years in the Army National Guard, working as a helicopter mechanic with the 106th Aviation Unit at Midway Airport. Skilled in maintaining and repairing aircraft from Blackhawks to Chinooks, she rose to the role of crew chief and served as a physical fitness coordinator for her unit. She also organized military balls and holiday gatherings, strengthening bonds among soldiers. Her tours in Panama and Germany deepened her cultural awareness while reinforcing lifelong friendships.
After retiring from law enforcement and the military, Dina Vardal continued her service as a substitute teacher in the New Lenox School District, bringing her patience and structured approach to the classroom. Outside of work, she embraces her heritage by traveling to Greece annually, cooking traditional meals, and cultivating a vibrant garden. Married to Noe DeLeon Jr. in 2022, Dina treasures her role as a mother above all. Her daughter, Danira, born in 2013, remains her greatest joy and the heart of her life’s purpose.
