Covington fire and police departments celebrate raft of promotions and retirements

Covington celebrated a raft of retirements and subsequent promotions for the fire and police departments this week, many of which were honored at the city commission meeting on Tuesday. In total there are seven retirements and 10 promotions, effective July 31 and Aug. 4, respectively.

“We’re losing a lot of experience, so obviously that creates a void, but we’ll be able to fill that void quickly,” said Covington Fire Chief Corey Deye in a city announcement. “Our older firefighters have been working for years to teach and train the next generation, to foster and develop talent.”

The retirees shared over a hundred years of experience between them. Friends and family members of the honorees packed the commission chambers: Nearly all of the seats were filled, and uniformed service members lined the back wall of the chambers.

Some of the members honored had served multiple roles in their respective departments. Others numbered among the original recruits for specific programs or had even started new programs.

New police Lieutenant Douglas Haubner, for instance, was one of the city’s first two community liaison officers. Newly retired fire Capt. Todd Wyatt, on the other hand, was one of the original 16 paramedics the city hired when its departments began training its members in advanced life support, a set of emergency protocols designed to keep patients in critical condition alive until they can receive more advanced treatment.

“We were the original medic class that came in here that changed the department,” Haubner said. “A lot of good changes have happened since then.”

Newly retired fire engineer Rob Languth, meanwhile, was the force’s only internal paramedic class, meaning he got his paramedic training while already on the job.

“[Languth] decided to better his education in the middle of his career,” Deye said on Tuesday, “which I think is outstanding.”

“I’ve enjoyed the job,” Languth told the commissioners. “But I know I’m getting older, and this job takes a toll on your body. So I know it’s time to hang it up and move on to better things in life and enjoy some retirement.”

Newly retired Officer Sarah Cruey-Lusardi was integral in establishing a city community youth program.

“She started what is now known as the Sleigh Bells and Sirens Program, benefiting children in our community during the Christmas season,” said Police Chief Brian Valenti in a city announcement. “During the past several years, the program has swelled to over 30 kids.”

A complete list of the retirements and promotions is below.

Fire Department Retirements

• Battalion Chief John Martin after nearly 25 years of service.
• Capt. Todd Wyatt after 20 years of service.
• Engineer Rob Languth after just over 23 years of service.
• Firefighter-Paramedic Brian Boyers after six years of service in Covington.

Fire Department Promotions

• Capt. Patrick Averbeck to battalion chief
• Lieutenant Dennis Hoyle to captain
• Lieutenant Kyle Masson to captain
• Engineer Matthew LaFontaine to lieutenant-paramedic
• Firefighter-Paramedic James “J.P.” Navin to lieutenant-paramedic
• Firefighter-Paramedic Keith Goff to engineer-paramedic
• Firefighter-Paramedic Rob Huser to engineer-paramedic

Police Department Retirements

• Capt. William Kelley after 23 years of service in Covington.
• Specialist Ron Allen, after 28 years of service, making him the most senior officer in the department.
• Officer Sarah Cruey-Lusardi after 21 years of service.

Police Department Promotions

• Lieutenant Joshua Haggard to captain
• Sergeant Douglas Haubner to lieutenant
• Specialist John Coulter to sergeant

“I say it every time, and it bears repeating,” said city commissioner Shannon Smith on Tuesday, “thank you for your service, and thank you to every family member in here because it’s a group effort.”

“To be a good firefighter [or] to be a good police officer, you have to have really strong family support,” said Mayor Joe Meyer on Tuesday. “So on behalf of all of us, I want to thank those of you who are family members for the love, for the support and for sharing your loved ones with the people of Covington as they really pursue these honorable professions that help make our community better.”

Check out some photos from Tuesday night below.