×
×
homepage logo
LOGIN
SUBSCRIBE

Hudson’s Chief Lavoie abruptly retires

By Dean Shalhoup - Senior Staff Writer | Feb 14, 2019

Former Hudson police Chief Jason Lavoie

By DEAN SHALHOUP

Senior Staff Writer

HUDSON – Questions surrounding the seemingly abrupt retirement Tuesday of longtime police Chief Jason Lavoie remained unanswered Wednesday, leaving many in town wondering why Lavoie would cap a nearly 28-year career with such a hasty exit.

The Board of Selectmen, in a statement that appeared Wednesday on the town website and Facebook page, said only that Lavoie tendered his retirement Tuesday, and it was effective Tuesday.

Also on Tuesday, selectmen said they appointed Capt. William Avery, another department veteran, as interim chief. They didn’t say whether the town is searching for a permanent chief.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Roger Coutu couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday.

There is no indication Lavoie’s decision to retire is connected in any way to the ongoing lawsuit that a former Hudson police dispatcher filed against him, Avery, Lt. Charles Dyak and the town of Hudson in 2014.

The dispatcher, Janelle Sargent, alleges in the suit that the three officers “willfully failed” to protect her from domestic violence by not following laws and policies governing abuse by a spouse.

The suit stemmed from Sargent’s allegations that her then-husband, Litchfield police Capt. Benjamin Sargent, repeatedly abused her both physically and emotionally, according to the suit.

The most recent entry in the case summary for the suit, which is being heard in Hillsborough County Superior Court-South in Nashua, is a hearing on a motion for summary judgment, which took place Monday before Judge Charles Temple.

Temple took the matter under advisement, according to the entry, but it could take up to 30 days for him to hand down a ruling on the motion.

Nashua attorney John Curran, who is representing the three officers and the town, said Wednesday that to the best of his knowledge, Sargent’s suit and Lavoie’s retirement are unrelated.

“My understanding is there’s no connection,” Curran said, adding that he is not directly involved “with employment aspects” in his role as defense attorney.

He acknowledged Monday’s summary judgment hearing took place, and said there’s a motion to dismiss currently pending.

“Chief Lavoie is a great guy; I’m sorry to see him go,” Curran said. Noting Lavoie’s lengthy tenure – he came on board as a patrol officer in 1991 and was named chief in 2009 – Curran said Lavoie “has been such an asset to the community.”

Selectmen in their statement also praised Lavoie for “his many years of service to the Hudson community.

“We wish Chief Lavoie a long and happy retirement, and thank him for his service … .”

Avery, the interim chief, is a 26-year law enforcement veteran, and attained his current rank of captain 10 years ago this month.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256, dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com, or @Telegraph_DeanS.

Newsletter

Join thousands already receiving our daily newsletter.

Interests
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *