Derry, NH, Fire Chief on Paid Leave after DWI Arrest

Details of Derry Fire Chief Shawn Haggart's arrest last month have not been released.

By Paul Feely

Source The New Hampshire Union Leader, Manchester (TNS)

Nov. 14, 2025

2 min read

691733a7f2ca9c34d25aa68d Derry Fire Department

Derry Fire Chief Shawn Haggart is on paid administrative leave following his arrest last month on a charge of driving while intoxicated, town officials confirmed Thursday.

Haggart, a Chester resident, was arrested Oct. 18 by Bow Police on a single DWI charge, according to department arrest logs for the month of October posted online at the Bow town website.

No further information on the arrest or the events that preceded it were available Thursday. The New Hampshire Union Leader has filed a Right-to-Know request with Bow Police for copies of the arrest and incident reports.

Derry Town Administrator Mike Fowler confirmed Thursday that Haggart has been on paid leave since “shortly after” officials were made aware of his arrest. Assistant Chief Greg Laro is currently serving as acting chief, Fowler said.

Fowler declined further comment on the situation, because it involves a pending legal matter.

An attempt to reach Haggart for comment Thursday was unsuccessful. It is unclear if he has legal representation.

Haggart, with more than two decades of service in Derry, became fire chief on March 1, 2024.

He started his career as an EMT in Burlington, Vermont, before entering a New Hampshire paramedic program.

After graduating from that program, Haggart joined the Derry Fire Department in 2001 and moved up the ranks, being promoted in 2012 from firefighter/paramedic to lieutenant, then to captain in 2015 and then a battalion chief in 2019.

Haggart was named Derry assistant fire chief in 2022.

Over the course of his career in Derry, Haggart has taken on many roles and tasks and has led the department through ambulance re-accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation Ambulance Services.

He also holds numerous professional certifications that include Hazardous Materials Technician, fire inspector, fire investigator, tactical medic, and various technical rescue efforts.