‘Always wanted to be a cop’: Exeter welcomes newest police officer
EXETER — Officer Connor Kennedy will follow in the footsteps of his dad and twin brother after he was officially sworn in Monday night as Exeter’s newest police officer.
The swearing-in ceremony during the Select Board meeting was a big moment for the Kennedy family.
“To be honest, I’ve been waiting for this night for a long time,” Kennedy said. “I knew I always wanted to be a cop. Throughout this entire process from start to finish I’ve had this goal in the back of my head and it’s kind of been like a long tunnel, but now it’s finally there. It’s kind of surreal.”
His badge was pinned by his father, Philip, who is a retired captain from the New Britain, Connecticut, Police Department.
Twin brother Collin Kennedy, who has served as an officer in Derry for 2 ½ years, was also on hand to support his brother on his new appointment.
“We’re twins and we’ve always done stuff together,” his brother said. “I went to college and he went into the Marine Corps so that was really the first time that we kind of separated. Obviously growing up with my father in law enforcement, we both knew that we wanted to do it and I knew he was always going to get hired. I’m happy for him. I know this is what he’s always wanted just like me.”
Kennedy grew up in Burlington, Connecticut, and after graduating high school he joined the Marines and served from 2017 to 2021. After his time in the military, he worked as an explosion detection K9 handler for MSA Security.He will attend the next New Hampshire Police Academy in January and eventually plans to move his wife, Serena, and sons, ages 1 and 6, to the area.
“When I came to New Hampshire, it just felt right. It just felt like home to me,” he said, adding that he “wouldn’t be in this uniform” without the support of his wife.
Kennedy’s mother, Marybeth Kennedy, fought back tears as she reflected on the night and what it meant to her as a mom.
“It’s monumental. I’m filled with a tremendous amount of pride. Both boys wanted to serve and protect. They’re just living their life's ambition. I lived through this as a wife and now I’m going through this again as a mom,” she said.
As he settles here in Exeter, Kennedy’s brother offered a bit of advice.
“I think the biggest thing is just to be quiet, absorb everything. Know your role, know your place. A lot of stuff gets thrown at us and we’re constantly learning every single day. If you think that you’re not, then you’re in the wrong profession. He has a good head on his shoulders and he’s very aware of his surroundings. He’s a good father and he puts everyone before himself and that’s what this job really is. He has great qualities and great traits and I think he’s going to excel in this job,” he said.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Exeter welcomes newest police officer: ‘Always wanted to be a cop’
