Sununu honors slain state hospital security guard, staff who responded

The state hospital security officer killed by a former patient in November and the two individuals who came to his aid have received one of the state’s highest honors: the Governor’s Law Enforcement Award. 

Tuesday, Gov. Chris Sununu recognized officer Bradley Haas of Franklin posthumously; Trooper Nathan Sleight, who shot and killed the gunman; and dispatcher Angelique Carter, who coordinated with first responders and rendered CPR to Haas. 

At Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting, Sununu also recognized the New Hampshire Hospital staff who responded to the shooting. 

“I think one of the amazing parts of that story, as tragic as it was, is that the patients were safe, the patients were secure, and the care was not disturbed,” said Sununu, crediting hospital CEO Ellen Lapointe and her staff. “They just kept going through all that tragedy, through all distress, through all the drama of what was happening, to make sure that in the moment that those individuals were safe and secure. But even in the days and weeks afterwards, the aftermath has been very, very tough on the entire organization and again, they’ve persevered.” 

The state has responded to the Nov. 17 shooting in other ways, too. 

Two House members, a Republican and Democrat who have voted on opposite sides on prior gun legislation, sponsored a bill that would add certain mental health records to gun background checks. Federal law prohibits anyone committed to a psychiatric hospital from buying or possessing a gun, but New Hampshire does not submit the records that would identify individuals who fall into that category. 

House Bill 1711 overcame a divide among Republicans to clear the House last month. 

The state is also in the process of replacing the unarmed hospital security officers, like Haas, assigned to the New Hampshire Hospital lobby with armed private security guards. The Department of Safety issued a request for bids earlier this month. Private security firms must submit bids by April 30, but it’s unclear when officers may start.