(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — Standing 6 feet, 2 inches tall, Kenosha Police Deputy Chief Brent Sagedal, 53, cuts a stoic, commanding presence within the walls of the Kenosha Police Department. But those who know the 27-year law enforcement veteran best describe a devoted family man, a respected leader, and someone with a surprisingly good sense of humor. Beneath that imposing exterior is a man who values loyalty, integrity, and the relationships he has built throughout nearly three decades of service. But when it’s time to get down to business, Sagedal doesn’t mess around. He takes his responsibilities, his authority, and the safety of the community seriously. Now, just weeks before he was supposed to hang up his badge for good, Sagedal has agreed to put retirement on hold and take command of the department he has dedicated much of his life to serving.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Sagedal, who joined the Kenosha Police Department in 1999, has already assumed responsibility for the agency’s day-to-day operations following Police Chief Patrick Patton’s selection as Kenosha’s next city administrator. Although Patton officially retains the title of police chief through December 31, Sagedal is now overseeing the officers, supervisors, and command staff responsible for protecting the city. His decision to remain with the department has earned considerable praise from Patton and Kenosha Police Inspector Aaron Dilhoff, both of whom describe Sagedal as a capable, ethical, and deeply respected leader.
A Career Dedicated To Kenosha
Sagedal’s law enforcement career began in 1999, long before he occupied one of the most important offices inside the Kenosha Police Department. Like many officers who eventually rise through the ranks, his career began with the everyday responsibilities of policing, responding to calls, investigating crimes, working with residents, and learning the complexities of protecting a community.
Over the years, Sagedal worked his way through virtually every level of the department. His assignments and promotions included patrol officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, inspector, and ultimately deputy chief. Each position brought additional responsibilities, new challenges, and opportunities to develop the leadership experience that would eventually prepare him to oversee the entire agency.
That experience is particularly valuable during a leadership transition. Sagedal understands the department not simply from the perspective of an administrator, but from having performed many of the jobs carried out by the officers and supervisors he now leads. His nearly three decades of institutional knowledge provide continuity at a time when the department is preparing for its first change in permanent leadership since 2023.
Sagedal has also worked under multiple police chiefs, witnessed changes in policing technology and procedures, and helped guide the department through periods of significant organizational change. His career has placed him alongside generations of Kenosha police officers, many of whom have spent their entire careers working within the same organization.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Patton Praises Sagedal’s Leadership And Sacrifice
Perhaps nobody understands the significance of Sagedal’s decision better than Patton, who acknowledged that asking his longtime colleague to postpone retirement was one of the more difficult aspects of accepting his new position at City Hall.
Patton told Kenosha County Eye that Sagedal had already given an extraordinary amount of his professional life to the department and had earned the opportunity to retire. Rather than simply enjoying that next chapter, however, Sagedal agreed to remain because the department needed him.
“It was tough for me to look at someone who’s been so supportive and given so much here and now reach his well-earned retirement,” Patton said during an exclusive interview with Kenosha County Eye.
Patton’s comments reflected both professional admiration and personal appreciation for a colleague who has supported him throughout his career. He described Sagedal as approachable, fair, competent, and dependable, the kind of leader who can be trusted to make difficult decisions while maintaining the confidence of the people around him.
Patton also credited Sagedal with helping him develop as a police officer and leader earlier in his own career. Their professional relationship extends well beyond their current positions at the top of the department, giving Patton firsthand knowledge of Sagedal’s abilities and character.
For Patton, knowing that Sagedal will remain in charge provides reassurance as he prepares to leave the department he has served since January 2006. Rather than worrying about who will oversee police operations during the search for a permanent successor, Patton can transition into city administration knowing that an experienced leader is already in place.
Patton has repeatedly emphasized that one of his proudest accomplishments as chief was developing a command staff capable of functioning successfully without him. His confidence in Sagedal is an important part of that philosophy, which emphasizes preparing other leaders to accept responsibility rather than making an organization dependent on a single individual.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Inspector Dilhoff: “I Trust His Decision-Making. I Trust His Values And His Ethics.”
Kenosha Police Inspector Aaron Dilhoff, 46, offered an equally enthusiastic assessment of Sagedal’s leadership abilities during a separate exclusive interview with Kenosha County Eye.
Dilhoff has worked for the department since March 2004 and currently serves as one of its highest-ranking officers. He and Sagedal have known each other professionally for many years, including a period of nearly two years when both served as third-shift lieutenants.
That experience gave Dilhoff an opportunity to observe Sagedal’s judgment, leadership style, and ability to handle difficult situations firsthand. Dilhoff said those years working together established a level of professional trust that continues today.
“I trust his decision-making. I trust his values and his ethics,” Dilhoff told Kenosha County Eye. “I don’t have any concerns whatsoever for Brent to be the final decision-maker.”
The endorsement is particularly meaningful because Dilhoff will be working closely with Sagedal during the transition. As inspector, Dilhoff oversees major operational responsibilities, including patrol and investigations, and will help ensure that the department continues functioning smoothly while the Police and Fire Commission conducts its search.
Dilhoff’s comments also underscore an important characteristic of Sagedal’s leadership: the confidence he has earned from other experienced police supervisors. Although the acting chief will have the ultimate responsibility for many important decisions, he will be supported by a command staff whose members have worked together for years.
That familiarity and mutual respect should help minimize disruption during the transition. Officers and supervisors will continue reporting through an established chain of command, with leaders who already understand the department’s personnel, policies, priorities, and ongoing initiatives.
Retirement Can Wait — The Department Comes First
Before Patton’s appointment was announced, Sagedal was looking forward to retiring at the end of 2026. After nearly three decades in law enforcement, the deputy chief had reached a point in his career when he could step away from the responsibilities of police work and begin enjoying retirement.
Those plans changed when Patton was selected to replace retiring City Administrator John Morrissey. With Patton preparing to leave and Sagedal originally scheduled to retire at approximately the same time, the department faced the possibility of losing its two highest-ranking officers within weeks of one another.
Sagedal recognized that such a transition could create unnecessary challenges for the department, particularly while the Police and Fire Commission worked to identify and appoint a permanent police chief. He ultimately agreed to remain for approximately another year, postponing his retirement until January 1, 2028.
The decision will allow the department to maintain continuity and give its officers and supervisors an experienced leader during what could otherwise be a period of considerable uncertainty. It will also provide the Police and Fire Commission with additional time to conduct a thorough search without the immediate pressure of filling a leadership vacancy.
Sagedal has made clear that he does not intend to seek the permanent police chief position. His decision to stay is not an effort to secure another promotion or extend his career indefinitely, but rather an agreement to help the department navigate a transition before eventually retiring.
A Familiar Face At The Top
For the men and women of the Kenosha Police Department, Sagedal’s appointment means the person overseeing their daily operations is someone who has spent decades working within the same organization. He is familiar with its personnel, its challenges, and the demands placed on officers working the streets of Kenosha.
His leadership also provides stability as the department continues several initiatives implemented under Patton. Those efforts include improvements in technology, expanded community engagement, officer training, and organizational modernization.
Patton has credited the department’s progress to the employees and supervisors who helped develop and implement those initiatives. He has emphasized that successful leadership requires creating an environment where employees feel comfortable bringing forward ideas, solving problems, and accepting additional responsibility.
Dilhoff has similarly praised the collaborative leadership structure developed during Patton’s tenure. He believes that approach has prepared the department’s command staff to handle the transition without losing momentum or abandoning improvements already underway.
For Sagedal, the challenge will be maintaining that progress while ensuring that the department continues fulfilling its most fundamental responsibility: protecting the people of Kenosha. His decades of experience and established relationships with fellow officers provide a strong foundation for that work.
The Search For Kenosha’s Next Permanent Police Chief
Although Sagedal has already assumed responsibility for daily operations, the search for Patton’s permanent successor is expected to begin in 2027. The Kenosha Police and Fire Commission, which has the authority to appoint the city’s police chief, will oversee the selection process.
Dilhoff previously estimated that the commission could begin its search around March 2027, with a permanent appointment potentially occurring by late summer or early fall. Those estimates are preliminary, and the actual timeline will depend on the commission’s recruitment and selection process.
The process is expected to involve applications, interviews, and evaluations designed to identify a candidate capable of leading one of Wisconsin’s largest municipal police departments. Until that selection is made, Sagedal will remain responsible for overseeing the department’s daily operations.
Even after a permanent chief is selected, Sagedal’s planned retirement date could provide an opportunity to assist with the transition and help the incoming leader become familiar with the department. His experience and knowledge of the organization could prove particularly valuable if the commission selects a candidate from outside the agency.
One More Year Of Service
For Sagedal, the coming year will be unlike any other in his long law enforcement career. After serving in nearly every rank within the department, he now finds himself responsible for leading the entire organization during a period of significant change.
His decision to postpone retirement has provided the department with something that cannot easily be replaced: nearly three decades of experience, institutional knowledge, and relationships built through years of working alongside fellow officers.
It has also provided Patton with the confidence to begin his next chapter at City Hall knowing that the department he leaves behind will remain under experienced leadership. Patton’s praise for Sagedal, combined with Dilhoff’s strong endorsement, reflects the respect the veteran officer has earned throughout his career.
Sagedal could have retired at the end of this year, closing the book on 27 years of service and beginning a new chapter of his life. Instead, he agreed to give the Kenosha Police Department one more year.
For a career police officer who has already dedicated nearly three decades to serving Kenosha, it is one final commitment to the department, his fellow officers, and the community he has spent his professional life protecting.
