Many important promotions were made at this morning’s meeting of the Kenosha Police and Fire Commission meeting. At least one hundred family members, friends, and colleagues of the men promoted today filled in seats and lined the halls of the Kenosha Public Museum.

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Kenosha Police Chief Pat Patton handed out a medal of valor on the recommendation of now-retired Deputy Chief Tom Hansche. He also promoted a Deputy Chief, Inspector, a Captain, two Lieutenants and a Sergeant.

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Kenosha Fire Chief Bigley (Retiring) and Fire Chief Tilton promoted a Captain, a Lieutenant, and an Apparatus Operator.

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(Below photos can be copied and used by employees, their friends and families for any purposes without need for photo credit.)

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Medal of Valor – Captain Aaron Dilhoff, Kenosha Police

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“In June of 2020, Captain Dilhoff was asked to development a proposal and implementation plan for an independent Kenosha Police Department SWAT team. True to form, Captain Dillhoff dedicated himself to the project and delivered a detailed plan. He spent the next two years working on identifying equipment, personnel, training and financial needs. He worked with City administration and vendors to secure funding and equipment. His dedication and devotion to the project and the department was outstanding. Once the team was functional, Captain Dilhoff continued to dedicate himself to leading and improving the SWAT team, including the development of a Hostage Negotiation and Tactical Emergency and Medical Support (TEMS) Program. In the end, Captain Dilhoff delivered on all expectations. For these reasons and many more that are not mentioned, I would like to nominate Captain Dilhoff for the medal of merit.”
-Retired Deputy Police Chief Thomas Hansche

Promotion of Inspector Joseph Labatore to Deputy Police Chief

Joe joined the Kenosha Police department in 1996. He worked on third shift and then second shift
patrol. Joe served as a Field Training Officer, Bike Officer and served in the Gang Unit and Street
Crimes Unit. In 2010 Joe was promoted to Sergeant and was assigned to 2nd shift patrol. In 2014 he
was assigned to 1st shift Patrol and later served as the Administrative Sergeant. In 2017 Joe was
promoted to Lieutenant and was assigned to 2nd shift patrol. In 2019 Joe was promoted to Captain and
served as the 3rd shift commander. In 2020 he was assigned to Administration as the Captain of
Planning, Training and Research. Joe has his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the
University of New York at Cortland. Joe completed the Northwestern Center for Public Safety
Supervision of Police Personnel and the International Chiefs of Police Association’s Leadership in
Police Organizations training. He also attended the FBI-LEEDA Supervisory, Command and
Executive training courses, earning the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award. He attended the Wisconsin
Command College and achieved his certification to be a Certified Public Manager. Joe would like to
acknowledge and thank the great officers on the KPD for their continued hard work and the great
supervisory staff that he has learned so much from throughout his career. Joe would like to give
special thanks to his wife Felicia Labatore of her unwavering support and encouragement. He thanks
his sons Jacob, Justin and beloved Clay for their patience and understanding throughout the years.

Promotion of Captain Brent Sagedal to Inspector
(The position of Inspector is the third in command at KPD. The Inspector reports to the Deputy Chief and Chief and oversees captains of all divisions.)

Brent Sagedal graduated in 1995 from Carthage College in Kenosha, WI. Brent was hired in 1999
where worked as a second shift patrol officer until 2006. He then spent 2 years in the Street Crimes Unit and was promoted to Detective in 2009 where he served in the Sensitive Crimes Unit. In 2010, he
was promoted to Sergeant and served as both a Patrol and Detective Sergeant during his tenure. In
2017 he was promoted to Lieutenant of third shift patrol. In 2020 he was promoted to Captain of first
shift patrol and was most recently serving as the Captain of the Detective Bureau. Brent has also
served as a Unified Tactics Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Field Training Officer, Rifle Team member,
and Accident Investigator. Brent also developed the Community Service Officer Unit and the Major
Investigation Groups of the Detective Bureau which has been pivotal in increasing the solvability of
investigations of the most serious crimes in our community. Brent is a member of the Wisconsin Law
Enforcement Officers Association and a graduate of the FBI – Law Enforcement Executive
Development Association Leadership Trilogy Program. Brent is married to his wife Rebecca and has 4
children.

Promotion of Lieutenant Leo Viola to Captain

Leo Viola was hired on the Kenosha Police Department in 2006. Leo spent the first five years of his career on third shift patrol where he served as an accident investigator, evidence technician and member of the directed patrol initiative. In 2010, he was assigned to the Gang Crimes Unit. While a member of the unit, he worked criminal gang investigations, drug and weapon interdiction and many violent crime investigations. In 2016, Leo was promoted to Detective and worked general assignment where he developed a deeper understanding of the criminal investigative and court processes. In 2017, Leo was promoted to Sergeant. During his time as a Sergeant, Leo supervised officers on 2nd shift and dayshift patrol before being assigned to the office of professional standards. Leo attended the Northwestern
University’s Supervision of Police Personnel course and the ICAP’s Leadership in Police Organizations. In 2022, Leo was promoted to Lieutenant. As a Lieutenant, Leo was assigned to 2nd Shift patrol before taking over as the public information officer in 2023. As a Lieutenant, Leo completed the trilogy of FBI-Leeda Leadership courses and received training from FBI-Leeda in media and public relations. Leo was raised in Kenosha and graduated from St. Joseph High School. Leo continued his education at Marquette University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Law Studies. Leo enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, travelling, coaching youth sports and live music. Leo would like to express his gratitude to his family for their love and support, the citizens of Kenosha for entrusting him with the responsibility of being a police officer, and his brothers and sisters that work in the law enforcement community.

Promotion of Sergeant Jeremy DeWitt to Lieutenant

Jeremy DeWitt joined the Kenosha Police Department in 2010. After previously working for the City of
Janesville Police Department. During his Kenosha Police Department employment Jeremy has been assigned to several different positions. In 2015, he became a detective where he worked on violent and sensitive crime cases. In 2018, Jeremy became a Sergeant where he supervised 2nd shift patrol. In 2020, Jeremy was assigned to the Office of Professional Standards. In 2021 he was selected to supervise the newly formed Special Investigations Unit after the unfortunate passing of Sgt Trevor Albrecht. Jeremy continues to supervise the SIU where he is able to work alongside different local, state and federal agencies. Jeremy has a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University and master’s degree from Wichita State University. He lives in Kenosha with his wife, Jennifer, daughter, Ava and son, Mitchell. He enjoys traveling and Chicago sports teams. Jeremy would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all his past and present co-workers, friends and family members for their support in his career.

Promotion of Sergeant Tadas Zukauskas to Lieutenant

Tadas Zukauskas attended the University of Illinois-Chicago and was hired with the Kenosha Police
Department on January 2, 2008. He began his career as a Patrol Officer on 2nd shift Patrol Division where he held various assignments including Field Training Officer, Accident Investigator, was a member of the SWAT team. On February 1, 2018, he was assigned to the Gang Crimes Unit as gang officer. On March 1, 2019, he was promoted to a Sergeant and was assigned to 3rd and 1st Shift Patrol Divisions. Tadas is the Commander of the Kenosha Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics Team. Tadas is a graduate of the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association Supervisory Leadership Institute. Tadas is married to Heather and has two children, Ava and Declan.

Promotion of Police Officer Thomas Lemanczyk to Sergeant

Promotion of Fire Lieutenant Tim Lewis to Fire Captain

Promotion of Apparatus Operator Jared Harmann to Fire Lieutenant

Promotion of Firefighter Kevin Tietz to Apparatus Operator