Hopkinton News : police

Hundreds show support for family of Hopkinton offi cer Sean Powers

Bow Editor — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:28:00 GMT

In a sea of motorcycles and bikers, there was one common purpose – to support the family and memory of Hopkinton police officer Sean Powers.

On Saturday, Oct. 4, 304 people turned out for a motorcycle ride to benefit the Powers family. A motorcade of bikers left Hillsboro-Deering High School with a police escort at 10 a.m. for a two-hour ride to Waterville Valley in the White Mountains. Russell Fuller and Jeremy Gaudet, two of Powers’ high school friends, organized the event.

“It’s something we all loved to do,” said Fuller. “We all used to ride together.”

Fuller said they would like to make this an annual event, and they will make a donation to a different cause each year.

Powers, who joined the Hopkinton Police Department in April, was riding his motorcycle home at the end of his shift when he was killed by an alleged drunk driver on Aug. 14. Powers served two tours of duty in Iraq, suffering no injuries, and was home for less than one year before the incident occurred.

“I heard about this story, and it was a real heart (breaker),” said Rich Netto of Hillsborough, one of the participants in the event.

“Sean and I were like brothers,” said Peter W. Powers Sr., Sean’s father, “the whole military thing, the whole motorcycle thing.”

Peter Powers said by the time his son was 19, he even had a brand-new Harley.

“Sean was just a real nice guy,” said Peter Powers. “He didn’t have a lot of friends – but you knew he loved you, and he knew you loved him.”

Sean Powers’ first-grade teacher, Vicky Wheeler of Hillsborough, sat on the tailgate of her truck amidst the commotion around her. Her husband, John, rode in the benefit as well. Both have been friends with the Powers family for years.

“I’ve got soccer duty today, otherwise I’d be riding, too,” said Wheeler.

“This has got to feel good for the Powers,” said Wheeler, of the massive amount of support shown for the family.

“We miss him, we really miss him,” said Hopkinton firefighter Sean Weldon, who showed up with other members of the Fire Department.

Many people who never knew Powers showed up to the event as well.

“I’m just supporting him as a former police officer myself,” said Ray Bernier of Temple.

“I’m just a fellow Marine,” said Mike Brien of Hillsborough.

Father Mark Dollard, pastor of St. Theresa’s Church in Henniker and St. Mary’s Church in Hillsborough, performed a blessing of the bikes before bikers headed to Waterville Valley. Dollard also officiated at Powers’ funeral.

“We’re going on – putting one foot in front of the other,” said Peter Powers. “You got to have faith. You got to have faith that you’ll see him again.”

Driver to go on trial for death of Hopkinton police officer

Bow Editor — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:34:00 GMT

BY JENN McDOWELL

A Henniker District Court judge ruled there is probable cause to move forward in the case of the 22-year-old Henniker man accused of killing Hopkinton police officer Sean Powers.

Jeffrey Dennis is facing two charges of negligent homicide, one charge of aggravated driving while intoxicated and one charge of conduct after an accident. Sean Powers, 24, was riding his motorcycle back to his home in Hillsboro after his shift at the Hopkinton Police Department at round 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14.

He was travelling west-bound on Route 202/9 in Henniker, said State Police Troop D Capt. Russell Conte, when Jeff Dennis, 22, of Henniker hit him from behind.

When Dennis’ 1992 BMW struck Powers’ Harley Davidson, Powers was thrown into the road where he was inadvertently struck a second time by a Honda Civic traveling westbound. The driver of the Honda is not being charged in the accident.

After hitting Powers, Dennis and a passenger, now identified as Adam Kowalski of Henniker, fled the accident scene. Both were found within several hours, according to police.

Kowalski is not facing any charges at this point, and has been cooperating with the investigation. Dennis and Kowalski had allegedly been drinking at Chen Yang Li in Bow prior to the accident.

Henniker District Court Judge Brackett Scheffy ruled there was probable cause to proceed with the charges against Dennis at a hearing on Tuesday, Aug. 26. Scheffy also continued Dennis’ bail at $500,000 cash only.

The case now goes up to Merrimack County Superior Court for trial. A date has not been set.

Dennis has several DWIs on his record, and has allegedly left the scene of two other accidents in the past.

Powers had just joined the Hopkinton police force in April 2008, and having completed his field training, was about to enter the police academy.

Prior to that, Powers served two tours of duty in Iraq, one from August 2004 to March 2005 and another from September 2006 to April 2007, and came back unscathed.

Powers graduated from Hillsboro- Deering High School in 2002 and joined the Marines. He was based at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina for his entire Marine career, outside of his two deployments.

Hopkinton Police Chief David Wheeler said his department has kept in close contact with the family since Powers’ death.

“They’ve certainly risen to the occasion. They’re working through things in a very positive way, and they’ve been in communication with the family continuously,” Wheeler said of his officers. “I think that’s been very positive both for them and the family.”

He added while the Hopkinton police are in no way involved in the Merrimack County Attorney’s Office investigation into the crash, the Hopkinton police are hoping the process will work in this case.

“Our hope is that the justice system does what it’s intended to do,” Wheeler said.

Hopkinton officer remembered with bike benefit

Bow Editor — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:26:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Police officer Sean Powers’ memory will ride on.

Hopkinton Police Chief David Wheeler is working with two of Powers’ Hillsboro-Deering High School classmates to honor the recently killed officer with a motorcycle ride to benefit the Powers family.

“The family is strapped right now with paying for the funeral, so we wanted to generate a fundraiser and bring closure to that issue,” said Wheeler. “By the same token, we want to do something very positive to not only help the family out, but bring people together in his memory.”

Wheeler said the Saturday, Oct. 4, motorcycle ride will hopefully include a two-hour ride into the White Mountains, a one-hour lunch break, and a two-hour ride back, including a police escort the entire way. Powers, who joined the Hopkinton Police Department in the spring, was killed on Aug. 14 by an alleged drunk driver while riding his motorcycle home at the end of his shift.

“He had so many passions. It’ll be amazing to try to think about what he would want to have money go to each year,” said Russell Fuller, one of Powers’ friends who organized the benefit with friend Jeremy Gaudette. “It’ll be good coming up with special things to remember a special person. It’s hard to say just how amazing someone is.”

Even though Powers worked with Wheeler in the department for a short time, the chief said Powers made a big impact.

“Although he was here for a short period of time, his spirit will be stimulating this department and community for a long time to come,” said Wheeler. “It hit here as hard as it hit them, in some respects. It’s been very good for the officers to get through this by maintaining an open communication with the family.”

Fuller said he has been impressed to see the community response since Powers’ death, and hopes the motorcycle ride will be more of the same outpouring.

“Even the day we did the funeral, seeing everyone on the side of the road was very respectful,” said Fuller. “I’m looking forward to putting something like this together every year from now on. I’m hoping I can do it every year, learn more about it and see people coming back.”

Wheeler said he has already gotten a large response about the ride, and hopes to get at least 300 to 400 people to take part. Each rider is being asked to make a $25 donation for the event, which has a rain date of Saturday, Oct. 18.

“I think it’ll be very instrumental in (getting some sort of closure),” said Wheeler. “The family needs the support, and they’re getting the support.”

Even those who don’t ride motorcycles may take part in the event, as Wheeler said there have been volunteers willing to cater the lunch at the halfway point of the ride.

While Wheeler said the fundraiser will be helpful in the grieving process, he knows it is ongoing.

“This process will take time. It’s not something that will be over in any finite period,” said Wheeler. “We want to keep that memory stimulated and very much alive.”

Motorcycle Ride will travel from Hillsboro-Deering High School to the White Mountains and back. Anyone who wants to participate in the ride is asked to meet at the Hillsboro-Deering High School, 12 Hillcrest Dr. Hillsboro, at 9 a.m.

Those interested in taking part in the ride should contact Chief Wheeler at 746-5151.

Hopkinton officer killed by drunk driver

Bow Editor — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:24:00 GMT

BY JENN McDOWELL

A young Hopkinton police officer who just joined the force in April after serving two tours of duty in Iraq was killed on Thursday, Aug. 14, when a drunk driver rear-ended him.

Sean Powers, 24, was driving his motorcycle back to his home in Hillsborough after his shift at the Hopkinton Police Department around 1:30 a.m. He was traveling westbound on Route 202/9 in Henniker, said State Police Troop D Capt. Russell Conte, when Jeff Dennis, 22, of Henniker hit him from behind.

When Dennis’ BMW struck Powers’ Harley-Davidson, Powers was thrown into the road, where he was inadvertently struck a second time by a Honda Civic traveling west-bound, Conte said.

Dennis, who has several convictions for drunk driving on his record, is facing one more, in addition to being charged with negligent homicide and felony conduct after an accident. The driver of the Honda is not being charged, Conte said.

“Right after the accident happened, (Dennis) bolted into the woods,” said Conte, who added police used a helicopter and numerous search crews to locate Dennis in the area shortly after the accident occurred.

Conte said Powers was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Calling hours were held on Sunday, Aug. 17, and Monday, Aug. 18. Funeral services took place Tuesday, Aug. 19. The family is trying to cope with the loss while at the same time celebrating Powers’ achievements and good spirit.

“We’re taking it in stride,” said his brother, Dan Powers, 21, with whom Sean Powers shared an apartment on Mary Rowe Drive in Hillsborough. “I mean, we’re celebrating a great life and at the same time we’re devastated.”

After graduating from Hillsboro-Deering High School in 2002, Sean Powers served in the Marines and was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina from August 2002 to August 2007, according to the employment history on his resume.

Dan Powers said his brother suffered no injuries during the two tours of duty he served overseas as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, one from August 2004 to March 2005 and the other from September 2006 to April 2007.

When he returned, he began working for Asplundh Tree Expert Co., based in Weare, where his brothers Dan and Peter Powers also worked. Kimberly Carney, the office manager for Asplundh, said Powers was overjoyed when he got the job with the Hopkinton Police Department.

“He was so excited when he got this position because he was going to be a motorcycle police officer,” Carney said. “He was just meant for so many bigger things, and it’s just a shame,” she said.

Gary Shelto, regional manager and vice president of Asplundh Tree Expert Co., Region 28, said Powers was a wonderful employee and a great person to be around.

Dan Powers said he was woken up at around 4:45 a.m., just a few hours after his brother was killed, when his father called and told Dan to meet him in the living room of their apartment. His father then broke the news to him.

“We got along great. We had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs,” said Dan Powers of his relationship with his older brother. “He was always the best person to break the ice.”

The accident, near the intersection near the former Golden Pineapple and Route 202/9 in Henniker, remains under investigation. Conte said the results of Dennis’ blood alcohol test are not yet available.

An accident reconstruction team is still trying to piece the accident together to determine whether speed was a factor. There are skid marks in the vicinity of the crash scene, said Conte, but not very long ones.

“This guy probably wasn’t on the brakes,” said Conte of Dennis.

“I think it’s a tragic loss that you have someone who survived military action, and comes back and dies on a roadway,” Conte said, adding Sean Powers was operating his motorcycle responsibly and made no errors to cause the accident. “Regardless of him being a police officer, he was just going home like anybody else.”

Conte added the stretch of road where the accident occurred has seen several fatal accidents over the years, most of them caused by people drifting over the center line, which didn’t seem to be the case here.

Dennis was arraigned at Concord District Court on Friday, Aug. 15, where Conte said a judge set his bail at $250,000 cash. As of the end of the week, Friday, Aug. 15, Dennis was still in jail, Conte said.

Dan Powers described his brother as sometimes “too honest,” and said the family is trying to focus on the positives of his brother’s life.

“His goal in life was to make everyone smile, and he could, too,” he said.

Hopkinton police secretary writes historic tribute about department

admin — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:32:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

When she arrived at the Hopkinton Police Department five years ago, Patricia Finnerty did a lot of listening.

The department secretary heard stories and learned about people, and she decided the tales were noteworthy. Actually, she decided the stories were bookworthy.

Finnerty recently put the finishing touches on her book, “History of the Police Department and Law Enforcement in Hopkinton, N.H.,” after two years of work.

The book includes stories of the first inhabitants of Hopkinton and many of the chiefs throughout the town’s history, as the book spans years between 1700 and 2006.

Finnerty previously worked in Massachussets before moving to Hopkinton in 1999.

Sitting in her office, she often heard those around her singing the praises of the department.

“Listening to officers and people coming in talk about the pride and how things were, I thought it had to be the most wonderful, beautiful story to tell,” she said. “The people are amazing and so supportive of the Police Department. There’s a lot of respect for the department and people in it and that goes far back”

The Police Department sponsored Finnerty’s efforts, paying for the publishing costs of the book until they could be paid back with money brought in by the sale of the book.

Although it was a daunting task for Finnerty, her experience writing the history of a previous company she worked for helped along the way.

“Interviewing people was the most fun. When I first started asking questions I would see how shy people could be,” she said. “Some people would say they didn’t do anything special, but then they open up. When you see their stories you see how much they really did, you know they were being modest. I loved talking to people and getting their stories together.”

For Finnerty, the process was not always easy.

“Finding time to do it was the most difficult part. I work here for four eight-hour days. Everyone thought it was a great idea, but when it came down to getting people to edit, it was difficult,” said Finnerty. “Throughout the book there were a lot of times when I said I just can’t do this anymore. Then I thought of all the people, I knew I couldn’t stop. These people and their stories were so good. Someone had to put it in print and memorialize.”

The book is for sale for $5, and Finnerty said she didn’t publish it for profit, but more to get the stories out to people in town.

She has sold 105 copies so far, with the hopes of only making enough to repay the department. If she makes any profit, Finnerty said she will donate it to charity.

Finnerty enjoyed the experience so much, she hopes to write histories on the town’s VFW and American Legion in the future.

In addition to searching high and low around Hopkinton for information, Finnerty also learned something else.

“I think if you like it and believe in what you’re doing, which I did, you can do anything you want and accomplish anything. It was a lot of work, but it was fun,” said Finnerty, who joked that she isn’t planning a sequel for the police department. “Someone else will have to do the next 50 years.”

To purchase a book, call Finnerty at the Hopkinton Police Department at 746-5151.

Paper’s test gets strong reaction – Hopkinton pleased with outcome

Bow Editor — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:26:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Officials in Hopkinton are pleased with the outcome of an investigation Neighborhood News recently conducted of how open town governments are.

While some towns in the area were reluctant to give up information, Hopkinton complied with requests for town, police and school information.

SAU 66, which covers Hopkinton schools, was one of the districts subjected to our test.

Superintendent Brian Blake, who was present during the reporter’s request, said he was uncertain exactly what information was being requested.

The request was for a list of the district’s salaries and the most recent School District Meeting minutes. Although Blake said it was no problem getting the documents, he did note that it was not a common request.

“I was thinking (she was) from another town that was in the process of building schools, or separating from an SAU,” said Blake, who added that the reporter seemed guarded while asking for the materials. “I’d like to think we run a transparent operation. If people want the information, and it is legal and ethical that I give it to them, then I don’t have a problem giving it to them.”

The Hopkinton Police Department doesn’t often get requests in the area of the Right to Know Law. Ironically, the last request the department received came on a day several years ago – the last time Neighborhood News requested for public records.

From that day forward, Police Chief David Wheeler instituted a policy to have the log available on a clipboard in the office for anyone interested in seeing it.

Although there was a slight delay by the secretary who was asked for the information, our reporter was given the police log upon request.

“We update it every day, but no one ever looks at it. When she came in and asked for the log, our secretary called me right away because it hasn’t happened since she was in there. I told her to just give it to her, no questions asked,” said Wheeler.

In addition to the clipboard, at the end of every month the logs are posted online for the previous month’s arrests.

Wheeler said his department takes pride in its knowledge of the law.

“Our objective is to always be fully compliant. That’s our mission for everything. It isn’t an issue of how important it is to be able to get the information; it’s an issue of it being the law. We are always going to be compliant and make it simple for anyone to get the information they are looking for.”

Finally, the Hopkinton Town Hall passed our test as well, and without even a hint of trouble.

Interim Town Administrator Bob Veloski was not sure exactly where the records were located, which led to a slight delay, but every step of the way he apologized to the reporter for taking longer than anticipated.

“It’s public information, under RSA 91-A (the Right to Know Law),” Veloski said. “I’m not even supposed to ask you why you want it. That’s what the law says to do, and that’s what we do.”

Finance officer Bob Blanchette was able to help Veloski find the information, and he said it could have been anyone coming in, and he’d extend the same courtesy.

“It doesn’t matter who comes in here, whether it be President Bush or (a civilian). If you want the information, here you go,” Blanchette said.

Susan Koehler, a Contoocook resident, reacted to the results of the Right to Know test.

“It doesn’t surprise me that some people don’t want to give it out. It may sometimes be that the clerk just doesn’t know the law,” she said. “People in Hopkinton are educated and know what they’re supposed to be doing, so I am not surprised that the town did well. I trust people who work here.”

Police guard arrest reports

Bow Editor — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 21:05:00 GMT

BY SARAH LEBRUN

Of the 16 police departments we visited, there was an even split between who allowed us to see a list of police activity and arrests for the week, and who didn’t.

While the Right to Know Law does not specifically address the need for police departments to keep a log of activity, recent court cases have clarified that arrests are public information, said attorney Kathleen Sullivan.

Eight departments – Candia, Dunbarton, Epsom, Hopkinton, New Boston, Salem, Pelham and Windham – provided police logs immediately or later that day.

Even at these eight departments, employees asked reporters who they were and why they wanted to see the log. At four departments, we were given the police log only after the person on duty figured out we were reporters.

Our reporter visited the Hopkinton Police Department, and asked the secretary, Patricia Finnerty, to see a list of the past week’s calls and arrests. She was asked if she was a reporter and then requested to show a press ID.

When our reporter said she didn’t have a press ID, Finnerty made a phone call.

“I heard her tell whoever was on the other end I had come to the station, claiming to be a reporter, and asking for the arrest log,” said our reporter. “After hanging up, she took the log out of a file and made a copy for me.”

Of the eight departments that wouldn’t give us the police log, Auburn, Bow and Pembroke required us to file a written request. Weare even suggested filing a Right to Know request.

In Hooksett, it was impossible to even find an employee to say yes or no to our request for information. On three separate visits, our reporter was either told no one could help him or there was no one at the police station window.

At the Allenstown Police Department, we asked for a list of last week’s calls and arrests. A woman asked for what purpose we needed the logs, and we said we just wanted to see them.

“We don’t have that information,” the woman said. “It doesn’t print out.”

In Bedford, we spoke with secretary Charlene Robinson and asked for the same list.

We were told if we wanted a list of arrests, we could try going to the court. When we asked if the Police Department had a list of calls and arrests, she said yes, but it was not for public viewing.

The Goffstown Police Department discovered our staffer was a reporter, but told her there is no police log.

Debbie Odette, an employee in the records department, said a Goffstown News reporter used to come in to speak with someone at the department about arrests, accidents and reports.

The Salem Police Department was willing to let us have a copy of the police log, but at a price.

A woman at the records window said we could get a copy, but it would cost $1 per page for the report we wanted.

Because we wanted to know what it would cost before committing to paying for the log, our reporter left her name and number for the department to call later with the cost.

Ten to 15 minutes later, the woman in records called to say they printed the report, and it was 158 pages, so it would cost $158.

The Salem Observer receives the police log free every week.

Arson case ongoing

Bow Editor — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 21:14:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

Hopkinton police have been investigating the fire that destroyed the Slusser Senior Center in January, but Chief David Wheeler said it is too soon to reveal a suspect.

“The investigation is going forward and we have some viable leads,” said Wheeler. “It’s a very difficult case, but we do have an individual of focus.”

Wheeler said the investigation is progressing, but he isn’t sure when an arrest will be made.

He is surprised the arson was committed in the first place, based on his eight years of experience as Hopkinton’s police chief.

“It’s very sad to see that type of destruction in this community. This is something we really haven’t seen here,” he said. “Typically, people will engage an issue. They’ll take it to town floor and they’ll debate it, which is very healthy. But to see someone act out in the fashion that they did, it’s very sad because it’s not a very common characteristic of this community. It kind of goes against the grain.

“People talk about it as an act of desperation, that this was a desperate act, and I’m not buying that,” Wheeler continued. “I think it was a callous, thoughtless thing for someone to do.”

Despite the arson, town officials say they are moving forward with the original plan and hope to resume building within a month, pending completion of necessary insurance steps.

“We’re shooting now for early fall, maybe September (to open),” said Selectman Don Lane, who also serves on the Slusser Center Building Committee. “Nothing will change. We’re just planning to move ahead. We’re not in any way responding to the arsonist. I think it would be tragic if we did anything
to accommodate him or her.”

In the meantime, Lane said officials will try to address concerns and correct what he perceives to be fictitious rumors.

“The problem is there is an enormous amount of misinformation that is being put out by a very small group of individuals. But, I guess what is happening is if you put out enough bad information, pretty soon it becomes the rule, so we’re going to be prepared to respond in depth at Town Meeting to any questions or concerns anyone has,” he said.

The Slusser Center Building Committee is also planning a fundraiser following Town Meeting to make up the difference between the Eugene and Anne Slusser’s gift of $1 million and the additional $200,000 it will take to complete the project.