Retired officer injured in line of duty receives honorary promotion to sargent

LACONIA — Former Officer John Skehan was forced into an early retirement after suffering a leg injury when he was deliberately hit by car just over two years ago.

He was honored Tuesday night, at the 2026 Laconia Police Department Award Ceremony with multiple accolades, and an honorary promotion to sergeant.

Chief Matt Canfield said the award ceremony at the Lakeport Opera House recognized the great work of many members of the Laconia Police Department, ranging from dispatchers to captain, as well as civilian staff. Skehan was recognized with the medals for Bravery and Wounded in Service.

“May these medals always serve as a reminder that on Aug. 22, 2024, you stood between danger and others,” Canfield said.

Skehan was honored with a Commendation Bar for Meritorious Service for another incident, as well.

Before the ceremony, Canfield talked about the incident, talking about why Skehan was being honored by the department for two of its highest awards.

“What began as a response to what appeared to be a neighbor dispute, quickly became a life-threatening encounter,” Canfield said. “As Officer Skehan approached the scene and exited his patrol vehicle, a vehicle came toward him at a high rate of speed. In an instant, he realized that the vehicle was not simply passing by. It was deliberately coming directly at him.”

Canfield said Skehan only had a fraction of a second to react, and as the car “barreled” toward him, Skehan had the instinct to jump, so he would go over its hood.

“The crash was unavoidable,” Canfield said. “He was struck with tremendous force, and thrown to the ground.”

Skehan suffered a compound fracture to his left leg, as well as a head injury, and other serious injuries. Even in those first few minutes after being hit, he had an instinct to survive. Skehan knew the driver was still out there, and prepared himself to confront a potential threat. Canfield said Skehan drew his gun, and focused on protecting himself and others.

Canfield said Skehan knew how badly he was injured, as he couldn’t stand and was bleeding profusely. Instead of waiting for someone to take care of him, Skehan relied on his training by reaching for his tourniquet, and telling those around him how to apply it to his leg.

“Even while suffering the consequences of the attack, he continued to think clearly, to act deliberately, and to do what he could to help preserve his own life,” Canfield said. “That is courage. Courage is not the absence of fear or pain. Courage is continuing to act when fear and pain are very real, when the easiest thing to do would be to stop.”

It was clearly difficult for Canfield to talk about the incident. He said he was extremely proud of Skehan.

“It’s emotional for sure,” Canfield said. “Happy he’s alive, but it’s our honor to recognize him for what he did."

Canfield said Skehan had dreams of becoming a patrol sergeant, but at the time wasn’t eligible for the role. After his injury, he decided to challenge himself with the written portion.

“The sergeant’s test is in multiple phases, and that first step is a written test,” Canfield said. “He wanted to take the written test to see if he could pass it. He challenged it on his own, and he passed it. So, we’re also presenting him with an honorary sergeant position.”

Before the event, Skehan recalled the events of Aug. 22, 2024. He said it was something you just can’t train for, as no officer is expecting their day will include jumping a speeding SUV, with less than a second to react. He said he can picture it perfectly, looking down the SUV and thinking there was a good chance he wasn’t going to survive. Skehan said he wasn’t going to let it just happen.

“It’s something that comes down to what’s your will to find a way,” Skehan said. “I always told my wife, 'No matter what happens, I’m going to find a way to get home at the end of the day. Nobody’s taking me without a fight.'”

It isn’t something he thought he’d go through in his career.

“It’s something you know is a possibility, and you never try to be complacent, and I think that’s the reason I’m still here today,” he said. “I was able to find a way to survive and make it home to my family. I thank God for that. I definitely have somebody watching out for me. There’s no doubt in my mind.”

Skehan said the mindset instilled at the Laconia Police Department did, and continues to, help. To be honored by the department, among his peers in law enforcement including his wife Karlyn, a sergeant in the Concord Police Department, meant a lot.

“I found myself in a situation that I hope no other officer ever finds themselves in,” Skehan said. “We definitely understand the dangers, especially when you have something like this in a small town community. We obviously have our issues with crime here, but this isn’t Chicago or Detroit. It’s just a humble reminder that no matter where you are, or when you’re working, things can happen and you need to be ready for that.”

The Officer of the Year Award went to Officer Kyle Jepsen, and Canfield said he was honored to be able to recognize Jepsen for his hard work.

“Kyle is an outstanding officer, and certainly well-respected by his supervisors and peers alike,” Canfield said. “It is well deserved. I'm happy and honored to present him with this year’s officer of the year award.”

Jepsen, who has been with the department for 14 years, said it was great to be around so many officers so deserving of being recognized. He said it is shift work, so they don't always get to see each other, and being in a setting with their families together was especially gratifying.

Jepsen has had a big year, as he recently became a father for the third time with the birth of his daughter Margo four months ago. He also has a 4-year-old son Jack, and a 2-year-old daughter, Georgia.

With the award, he said it was nice to be honored for his hard work.

"We all voted for it, so it means a lot coming from everybody. Whether I deserve it is up to them, but the shoutout is to all of them and the department for the support."

Jepsen was also excited to see "Johnny" Skehan receive his awards, and honorary promotion.

"I know it meant a lot to him," Jepsen said. "It showed. That was huge."

The department ranges from brand new officers to employees with decades of experience, and he felt it was important to show recognition. He said there have been some big incident responses in the last several years, and the entire department has been involved one way or another.

Dispatcher Kenneth Smith was presented the Civilian Employee of the Year Award. Canfield said dispatchers are often the unsung heroes of a police department, and their daily work is “vitally important” to the operation.

“It was excellent to be able to honor him in that way,” Canfield said.

There were 16 rounds of awards given throughout the ceremony, with some going to entire units and others for individuals displaying exemplary service. He said all recognitions were “well deserved.”

“It is awesome to be able to come together as a department and community to recognize the hard work the officers and employees of Laconia Police Department do to keep the city safe,” Canfield said.

Awards

Commendation Bar for Distinguished Unit Action: Officer Megan Milliken, Officer Beau Perras, Officer Richard Sullivan, Special Officer Kevin Butler, Evidence Tech Jonathan Howe, Det. Daniel Carsen, Det. Kendra Neri, Sgt. Austin Schilling, Lt. Michelle Cardinal, Capt. Christopher Noyes

Commendation Bar for Lifesaving: Sgt. Austin Schilling, Officer Domenic Pietrafesa

Commendation Bar for Distinguished Unit Action: Officer Beau Perras, Officer Richard Bassett, Sgt. Bryan Moynihan, Lt. Michelle Cardinal, Capt. Christopher Noyes

Commendation Bar for Distinguished Unit Action: Officer Megan Milliken, Officer Kyle Jepsen, Officer Ashley Briggs, Officer Kevin Butler, Det. Daniel Carsen, Lt. Richard Carlson, Capt. Allan Graton, Capt. Christopher Noyes, Dispatcher Kenny Smith

Commendation Bar for Meritorious Service: Officer Kira Goodheart, Officer John Skehan, Officer Kyle Jepsen, Officer Ashley Briggs

Commendation Bar for Distinguished Unit Action: Officer Jonathan Mercurio, Officer Tyler Rouse, Officer Richard Sullivan

Commendation Bar for Distinguished Unit Action: Officer Richard Sullivan, Officer Autumn Bettez, Officer Ethan Hutchinson, Officer Alicia Larsen, Officer Ted Malagodi, Officer Eric Zurface, Officer Trevor Brinton, Officer Jasmine Sallies, Officer Erica Beliveau, Sgt. Jonathan Milne, Lt. Michelle Cardinal, Lt. Richard Carlson, Capt. Christopher Noyes, Dispatcher Timmy Brunelle

Commendation Bar for Honorable Service: Sgt. Bryan Moynihan

Medal for Lifesaving with Valor: Officer Kira Goodheart, Officer Jonathan Mercurio

Medal for Bravery and Medal for Wounded in Service: Officer John Skehan

2026 Officer of the Year: Officer Kyle Jepsen

2026 Civilian Employee of the Year: Dispatcher Kenny Smith