KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha Police and Fire Commission met at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Kenosha Public Museum and proceeded through a lengthy agenda marked by multiple retirements, a sweeping round of police promotions, and the appointment of several new police officers, reflecting one of the largest single-meeting personnel transitions in recent years.

The commission formally received and filed the notice of retirement for Crime Prevention Officer Felicia Labatore, effective Dec. 31, 2025. During the meeting, Police Chief Patrick Patton singled out Labatore for extensive recognition for her work in suicide prevention, officer wellness, and peer support. Patton credited her with transforming the department’s approach to mental health following the loss of her son in 2014, noting that her leadership helped build a nationally respected peer support program and contributed to saving lives within the department and the broader community.

Next, the commission received and filed the notice of retirement for Deputy Chief of Police Joseph Labatore, also effective Dec. 31, 2025. Chief Patton personally highlighted Labatore’s career, describing him as a steady mentor and trusted voice within the Kenosha Police Department and emphasizing his role in leadership continuity, internal guidance, and succession planning during years of departmental change.

The commission then approved the retirements of Detective Peter “Pete” Deates, Detective Chad Buchanan, Fire Inspector Keith Aulds, Fire Lieutenant Carl Ruegg, and Apparatus Operator Joseph Kiser, all effective at the end of December, with Kiser’s retirement effective Dec. 29, 2025.

With the retirements complete, the commission moved to promotions, beginning with the appointment of Inspector Brent Sagedal to probationary Deputy Chief of Police, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Brent Sagedal is a graduate of Carthage College and began his law enforcement career in 1999 when he joined the Kenosha Police Department Patrol Division. While serving on second shift, he worked as a Field Training Officer, Accident Investigator, and Firearms Instructor. In 2007, he was selected for the newly formed Street Crimes Unit, where he served as a Gang Officer. He was promoted to Detective in 2009 and assigned to Sensitive Crimes. Sagedal was promoted to Sergeant in 2010 and returned to second-shift patrol before transitioning to first shift, where he played a key role in creating and developing the Community Service Officer Program. In 2017, he was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to third shift. He rose to the rank of Captain in 2020, taking command of first-shift patrol, and in 2022 assumed leadership of the Detective Bureau as Captain of Investigations. During that time, he helped establish Major Investigation Groups and contributed to the creation of the Kenosha–Racine Area Investigation Team. In 2024, he was promoted to Inspector, overseeing both patrol and investigative operations. He is an active member of several state and national law enforcement organizations and resides in Burlington with his wife and their four children.

The commission next approved the appointment of Captain Aaron Dillhoff to probationary Inspector of Police (3rd in Charge), effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Aaron Dillhoff was hired March 1, 2004, and is a 21-year veteran of the Kenosha Police Department. Over the course of his career, he has served as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Gang Crimes Unit Officer, Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Training Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, Patrol Captain, and Captain of Administration. He has been a member of the department’s Peer Support Team for several years and has emphasized officer wellness as central to effective policing. Dillhoff also served for 10 years on the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department Tactical Response Team as an Operator, Team Leader, and Assistant Commander, and later served as Commander of the Kenosha Police Department SWAT Team for two years. As Administrative Captain, he worked to modernize the department’s training model through updated technology, tools, and tactics. Dillhoff and his wife, Betheny, live in the City of Kenosha with their four children. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Carthage College, is enrolled in a master’s program at Bowling Green State University, and is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command.

The commission then approved the appointment of Lieutenant Joshua Hecker to probationary Police Captain, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Joshua Hecker is a 23-year veteran of the Kenosha Police Department who has served in all three departmental divisions. He was hired in 2002 as a patrol officer and transferred to the Gang Crimes Unit in 2008. In 2010, he was promoted to Detective, investigating cases with an emphasis on gang-related crimes, death investigations, and arsons. Hecker was promoted to Sergeant in 2016, supervising patrol officers and detectives, and to Lieutenant in 2021, where he was assigned to third-shift patrol and led a multi-agency crime reduction initiative targeting problematic licensed liquor establishments. In 2024, he transitioned to the Office of Professional Standards, overseeing internal affairs investigations, open records compliance, social media platforms, and serving as the department’s Public Information Officer. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University, a master’s degree from Colorado State University Global Campus, and is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command. Hecker has been married to his wife, Chrissy, for 22 years, and their daughter is a student-athlete at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.

Next, the commission approved the appointment of Sergeant Ryan Sieker to probationary Police Lieutenant, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Ryan Sieker has more than 16 years of service with the Kenosha Police Department and currently serves in the Office of Professional Standards, where he directs internal investigations, audits, policy review, and public records administration. Throughout his career, he has held supervisory roles including Patrol Sergeant and Detective Bureau Sergeant and has extensive experience in investigations and specialized operations. Sieker is an FBI-certified Public Safety Bomb Technician and a longtime member of the Kenosha County Hazardous Device Squad. Prior to law enforcement, he served in the Wisconsin Army National Guard and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, earning the Combat Action Badge. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. He and his wife, Amanda, have two children and are active in youth sports and community activities.

The commission then approved the appointment of Detective James Rockweiler to probationary Sergeant, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

James Rockweiler is a Kenosha native who has served with the department since June 2017. He holds a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati and has served primarily on second-shift patrol, with roles including Field Training Officer and Evidence Technician on the major scene response team. As a general assignment detective, he has investigated burglaries, stolen vehicles, sensitive crimes, organized fraud, and death investigations. He is also a member of the Kenosha–Racine Area Investigative Team and the department’s Major Investigations Group.

The commission continued with a series of detective promotions, beginning with the appointment of Police Officer Matthew Curi to probationary Detective, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Matthew Curi is a lifelong Kenosha resident and a Tremper High School graduate. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh and completed the Gateway Technical College Police Academy in 2010 before joining the Kenosha Police Department. He spent nearly 12 years on third-shift patrol and held numerous specialized roles, including Crisis Intervention Team member, Evidence Technician, Accident Investigator, and Field Training Officer. In 2023, he joined the Special Investigations Unit, where he has served for the past two and a half years.

Police Officer Eric Fish was next appointed to probationary Detective, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Eric Fish graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration. He previously worked for the Federal Reserve Police Department in Chicago before joining the Kenosha Police Department on third-shift patrol. His specialties include Advanced Crisis Intervention Training, Rifle Team membership, Field Training Officer duties, and service on the Civil Disturbance Response Team. In April 2023, he was selected as a Gang Officer within the Special Investigations Unit.

Police Officer Brittni Bray was then appointed to probationary Detective, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Brittni Bray is a Kenosha native and Tremper High School graduate who served four years in the United States Air Force before earning a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Herzing University. She joined the Kenosha Police Department in 2019 and served five years on second-shift patrol. In 2022, she received a Life Saving Award for her response to a violent incident involving gun violence. In October 2024, she was selected for the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit.

Police Officer Megan Healy was also appointed to probationary Detective, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Megan Healy has seven years of service with the Kenosha Police Department, spending six years on second-shift patrol. She has served as an Evidence Technician, Field Training Officer, Community Engagement Team member, Sensitive Crimes Responder, Instructor, and Crisis Intervention Team member. She holds an associate degree from the College of Lake County and is pursuing both bachelor’s and master’s degrees through Dominican University. In October 2024, she joined the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit as part of its founding team.

The commission then approved the appointment of Police Officer Jared Henderson to probationary Detective, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Jared Henderson was hired in June 2017 and has spent more than eight years on second-shift patrol. He has served as a Field Training Officer, Evidence Technician, Peer Support Team member, and Tavern Unit member, and is currently part of the KPD SWAT Team. He is a certified instructor in defensive and arrest tactics, firearms, and scenarios and has received multiple awards, including Officer of the Year in 2024.

Police Officer Tyler Schend was next appointed to probationary Detective, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Tyler Schend has eight years of law enforcement experience, seven and a half with the Kenosha Police Department. He is currently assigned to the Special Investigations Unit and has been a member of the Civil Disturbance Response Team since its inception.

The commission then approved the appointment of Police Officer Jason Tetrick to probationary Peer Support Coordinator, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Jason Tetrick was sworn in as a KPD officer in 2008 and served 13 years on third-shift patrol. He has held roles including Field Training Officer, Accident Investigator, and SFST Instructor and has been deeply involved in peer support since joining the team in 2014. He is also the handler for Tilly, the department’s first therapy and facility dog.

The commission concluded with the appointment of new probationary police officers, effective Jan. 5, 2026, beginning with Yahmani Dorsey, followed by Jacob Seeger, David Kelly, Cynthia Venegas, Patrick MacDonald, Ross Rudich, Nicholas Alvarado, Rocky Vires, and Noah Kraus, each of whom was introduced with a full biographical overview outlining their education, professional backgrounds, and commitment to serving the City of Kenosha.

During closing remarks, Chief Patton emphasized that the scale of the retirements and promotions reflected years of deliberate succession planning and sustained investment in developing talent throughout the department. He stressed that every individual promoted during the meeting brought a deep combination of education, specialized training, and frontline experience, allowing the department to move forward without disruption. Patton described the promotions as evidence of a strong internal pipeline and said the department is positioned to continue raising standards and adapting to future challenges.

Patton also addressed the newly appointed officers, telling them the Kenosha Police Department offers significant room for growth over the course of a career. He noted that many of the department’s current leaders began in the same probationary roles and advanced through training, specialization, and leadership development. Patton encouraged the new officers to take advantage of the department’s wide range of units and career paths, emphasizing that the organization is committed to developing its people and building a future workforce capable of meeting evolving public safety needs while continuing to improve service to the community.