KENOSHA, Wis. — For the first time in more than 20 years, Patrick Patton will begin his workday without putting on a police uniform, strapping on a gun or wearing a badge. After serving his country as a United States Marine and protecting the streets of Kenosha for more than two decades, the 43-year-old police chief is preparing to trade his badge and duty belt for a desk at City Hall. On Monday evening, October 19, the Kenosha Common Council unanimously confirmed Patton as the city’s next administrator in a bi-partisan 16-0 vote, with Alderman Rollin Pizzala absent. Patton will officially begin his new position January 1, 2027, replacing retiring City Administrator John Morrissey and beginning an entirely new chapter of public service — this time as a civilian.

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“It was incredibly humbling to receive the unanimous support of the Council, and I don’t take that confidence lightly,” Patton told Kenosha County Eye following Monday’s vote. “I see this as a shared commitment to move Kenosha forward together.” The confirmation came just five days after Bogdala publicly announced his selection of Patton following an extensive recruitment process. Patton, who became Kenosha’s youngest police chief when he took office in January 2023, will now transition from overseeing the city’s police department to managing the broader operations of municipal government. Several aldermen praised his leadership and communication skills before the vote, while Bogdala expressed confidence that the police department would remain in capable hands following Patton’s departure.

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Aldermen Praise Patton’s Leadership Before Unanimous Vote
Fifth District Alderman Rocco LaMacchia Sr., chairman of the Public Safety and Welfare Committee, offered a lighthearted explanation of his initial reluctance to support the appointment. LaMacchia joked that he had told Patton he would vote against the appointment because he did not want to lose him as police chief. However, LaMacchia said he was confident the department would remain in capable hands under its existing leadership.

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“As Chairman of Public Safety Welfare, I told him I was going to vote no because I don’t want to lose him, but we’re going to be in good hands with the two gentlemen behind us, so I changed my mind,” LaMacchia said before making the motion to approve Patton’s appointment.

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Sixth District Alderwoman Brandi Rose Ferree also expressed her support, praising the leadership Patton has demonstrated during his tenure as police chief. Ferree told her colleagues that she had been impressed by Patton’s contributions to the city and supported his promotion to the administrative position.

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“I’d just like to say that I have been very impressed with the leadership that Chief Patton has offered to our city and I’m in full support,” Ferree said.

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Sixteenth District Alderman Dominic Ruffalo emphasized that Patton possesses two qualities he considers particularly important for a successful city administrator: leadership and communication. Ruffalo said he agreed with Bogdala’s assessment of Patton’s qualifications and strongly encouraged his colleagues to approve the appointment.

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“I couldn’t agree more with your findings for Chief Patton. He’s got great leadership skills, and above all, he’s got great communication skills,” Ruffalo said. “That’s a big plus for that job. A lot of people got leadership skills, but they lack communication. He has both.”

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Following the remarks, the Common Council voted 16-0 to confirm Patton’s appointment. The unanimous approval completed the final step in the formal appointment process and established January 1, 2027, as the beginning of Patton’s tenure as city administrator.

Mayor Bogdala: ‘We’ve Got The Right Candidate’
Following the vote, Bogdala thanked the Common Council for supporting his selection and acknowledged the extensive process that led to Patton’s appointment. The mayor said numerous candidates had expressed interest in the position and credited city staff for their work during the recruitment and evaluation process.

“This was a very lengthy process, but obviously there was a number of individuals who came forward,” Bogdala said. “And I think what I’m most excited about, number one, is that I think we’ve got the right candidate.”

Bogdala also addressed the upcoming transition at the Kenosha Police Department, where Patton’s departure will create a vacancy in the permanent chief’s position. The mayor said he was not concerned about the department’s ability to maintain effective leadership and praised the experience of its existing command staff.

“I know there were some concerns about the Police Department. I can tell you I don’t share any of those. I think we have an incredible bench of leaders there,” Bogdala said.

The mayor specifically recognized Deputy Chief Brent Sagedal, who has agreed to postpone his retirement to lead the department during the transition. Bogdala thanked Sagedal and the rest of the police leadership team for their willingness to assume additional responsibilities while the city prepares for the next chapter in its administration.

“We are in extremely good hands on various fronts,” Bogdala told the council.

Patton Says Mayor’s Vision Convinced Him To Pursue Position
In an exclusive interview with Kenosha County Eye following last week’s announcement, Patton explained that his decision to pursue the city administrator position was driven largely by his confidence in Bogdala’s vision for Kenosha. Patton said he would not have applied for the position under a mayor whose priorities he did not believe in, emphasizing that the professional relationship he has developed with Bogdala played a major role in his decision.

“I would not have put in for this position if I didn’t believe in this mayor’s vision,” Patton told Kenosha County Eye. “I would have a real tough time morally trying to achieve the goals that the mayor is trying to achieve if I didn’t believe in what his vision was.”

Patton explained that he and Bogdala have developed a professional relationship built on mutual respect and trust during their years working together in city government. He said Bogdala has demonstrated a willingness to listen to department leaders when they identify operational challenges, while also maintaining clear expectations about the results he wants to achieve for residents.

“The reason I’m willing to do it is because of this mayor,” Patton said during the interview. He emphasized that the opportunity to help implement Bogdala’s priorities was more important to him than simply pursuing a higher-ranking government position.

Bogdala previously praised Patton’s experience, professionalism, judgment, and leadership abilities when announcing the appointment. The mayor said Patton’s understanding of municipal operations and his relationships with city employees and elected officials would help him manage the responsibilities of city administration.

“Patrick has demonstrated the experience, professionalism, sound judgment, and leadership ability that I believe are essential to serving as Kenosha’s next City Administrator,” Bogdala said in the October 14 announcement. “He understands the responsibilities of public service, knows our organization, and has earned the respect that comes from leading a critical and complex organization.”

From Marine Corps Sergeant To Police Chief To City Administrator
Patton began his career with the City of Kenosha on January 3, 2006, when he was hired as a police officer. Over the following two decades, he served as a detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain before being selected by the Kenosha Police and Fire Commission to become chief of police effective January 1, 2023. His appointment made him the youngest police chief in the city’s history, and his confirmation Monday marks another major milestone in his public service career.

Before joining the Kenosha Police Department, Patton served in the United States Marine Corps from 2001 to 2009. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant after serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Patton has credited his military service with helping him develop leadership skills at a young age and preparing him to accept significant responsibilities throughout his law enforcement career.

During his tenure as police chief, Patton emphasized community engagement, technology, employee development, and organizational modernization. He established the department’s IMPACT Team, which stands for Improving Modern Policing and Community Trust, to strengthen relationships between officers and residents. He also established an Internet Crimes Against Children unit and worked with state legislators on legislation intended to better protect children from exploitation.

Under Patton’s leadership, the Kenosha Police Department became fully accredited by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group for the first time in its history. The department additionally became the largest law enforcement agency in Wisconsin to achieve the Agency Leadership Trilogy Award through the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association. Those accomplishments were among the professional achievements highlighted in the biography submitted to the Common Council in connection with Monday’s appointment.

Patton holds a bachelor’s degree from Carthage College in criminal justice, sociology, and political science, along with a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He also completed the Certified Public Manager program through the University of Wisconsin-Madison and holds several additional leadership certifications.

Acting Police Chief Sagedal Already Leading Department
Patton’s confirmation also solidifies the leadership transition underway at the Kenosha Police Department. Deputy Chief Brent Sagedal, 53, who has served the department for 27 years, assumed responsibility for day-to-day police operations following Patton’s October 14 announcement. Although Patton officially retains the title of police chief through December 31, Sagedal has full authority over daily operational decisions and is overseeing the department during the transition.

Sagedal had originally planned to retire at the end of 2026 after a career that began in 1999. However, following Patton’s decision to pursue the city administrator position, Sagedal agreed to postpone his retirement for approximately one year to provide stability while the Kenosha Police and Fire Commission searches for a permanent chief. He now expects to retire January 1, 2028, and has said he does not intend to seek the permanent police chief position.

In an exclusive interview with Kenosha County Eye, Sagedal discussed his decision to remain with the department rather than retire as planned. The veteran officer has served in numerous positions throughout his career, including patrol officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, inspector, and deputy chief. His extensive experience will allow the department to maintain continuity while its next permanent leader is selected.

Patton has praised Sagedal’s willingness to postpone his retirement, acknowledging that the decision required him to delay plans he had earned after nearly three decades of service. Patton described Sagedal as a fair, approachable, and highly capable leader whose experience will help maintain the department’s current direction.

Kenosha Police Inspector Aaron Dilhoff also expressed strong confidence in Sagedal during a separate interview with Kenosha County Eye. Dilhoff, who has served the department since March 2004, said he worked closely with Sagedal when both were third-shift lieutenants and has complete confidence in his ability to lead the department.

“I trust his decision-making. I trust his values and his ethics,” Dilhoff said. He also credited Patton with developing a collaborative leadership structure that has prepared the department’s supervisors and command staff to assume greater responsibilities during the transition.

The Police and Fire Commission is expected to begin its search for a permanent chief in 2027, with a possible appointment by late summer or early fall. In the meantime, Sagedal and the department’s command staff will continue overseeing police operations while Patton transitions into his new role at City Hall.

Patton’s New Salary And Employment Terms
Documents submitted to the Common Council in connection with Monday’s appointment establish Patton’s compensation and employment conditions as city administrator. According to an October 14 memorandum from City Human Resources Director Samantha Schuirmann, Patton will be placed at Step 11 of the city administrator pay range, earning $18,051 per month, or $216,612 annually.

Patton will serve a 12-month probationary period and undergo regular performance evaluations during that time. Following the probationary period, he will be eligible for successive annual step increases based on satisfactory performance evaluations. The memorandum also states that Patton will remain eligible for full-time city employment benefits, including 25 days of annual leave and an additional day of annual leave earned each month by department heads who are required to attend after-hours city meetings.

The city previously advertised the administrator position with a salary range of $168,492 to $251,184 annually following Morrissey’s retirement announcement. Patton’s approved salary falls within that advertised range, and his placement at Step 11 establishes his initial compensation when he formally assumes the position January 1.

A New Chapter For Kenosha City Government
Morrissey’s retirement will conclude a lengthy career in Kenosha public service that included serving as police chief before becoming city administrator. His departure will also mark the second consecutive time that a former Kenosha police chief has moved into the city’s top administrative position. Patton has acknowledged Morrissey’s extensive institutional knowledge and said maintaining continuity throughout the transition will be important.

Bogdala took time during Monday’s meeting to recognize Morrissey’s contributions to the city, particularly his work preparing the 2027 municipal budget. The mayor said Morrissey’s experience and institutional knowledge had been invaluable during his time in office and credited the retiring administrator with helping the city navigate difficult financial decisions.

“During my time as Mayor, your experience, your institutional knowledge, and your steady hand have been invaluable to me,” Bogdala told Morrissey. “You have been a tremendous resource to me personally, to our department heads and staff, and to every member of this Common Council.”

Bogdala also acknowledged the long hours Morrissey had worked preparing the budget, describing the process as one of the most challenging he had encountered during his years in city government. The mayor said Morrissey had continued working closely with finance officials and department heads through the weekend to help finalize the city’s financial plan.

As city administrator, Patton will be responsible for helping oversee municipal operations, coordinating department heads, and implementing the priorities established by the mayor and Common Council. In his exclusive interview, Patton identified economic development, financial stability, maintaining the city’s bond rating, responsible management of municipal reserves, and protecting taxpayers from unnecessary financial burdens as priorities.

Patton has said one of his proudest accomplishments as police chief was developing employees and supervisors capable of continuing the department’s progress after his departure. He believes the leadership structure established during his tenure will allow the police department to continue functioning effectively while he assumes responsibility for the city’s broader operations.

Monday’s unanimous confirmation removes the final approval hurdle for Patton’s appointment and establishes January 1, 2027, as the official beginning of his tenure as city administrator. With Sagedal already overseeing daily police operations and Morrissey preparing to retire, Kenosha is moving forward with a leadership transition that will affect both City Hall and the police department.

“While I am stepping away from the role of chief, I am not stepping away from this community,” Patton said in last week’s announcement. “This City has given me so much both personally and professionally. I’m excited to continue to serve the people who live here in a new way and make Kenosha an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.”