John A. Roden Sr., former Hudson Police Chief, Survived Pearl Harbor

North Haverhill, NH – John A. Roden Sr., 91, died May 31, 2013, at the Grafton County Nursing Home, North Haverhill.

He was born in Cambridge, MA, July 4, 1921, a son of Ernest and Mary (Penney) Roden. John enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in 1941 and was eventually stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hickam Field, and was a survivor of the Japanese air strikes on Hawaii.

He later served as a turret gunner in a bomber in the 22nd Material Bombardment Squad. Following his discharge on July 5, 1945 he returned to the states and became a special officer in Pelham and, soon after, a full-time police officer in Hudson.

In the early 1950s he was named the Chief of Police in Lisbon, then Chief in Hampton, where he received national accord for his handling of the 1965 Hampton Beach riots. While serving as Chief in Hampton, the department became the first force in New Hampshire to use dogs. He returned to the North Country as Chief of the Haverhill Police Department. He left law enforcement for a few short years, when, along with his wife Barbara, they owned and operated the Pike General Store.

He returned to law enforcement by accepting the job as Chief in Bartlett retiring in 1987. He then worked at the Intervale Rest Area for several years. Following this retirement and his return to this area, he served as a bailiff in the Haverhill and Hanover District Courts.

In all, John served more than 40 years in law enforcement.

John was a member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Ross-Wood American Legion Post # 20 of Woodsville, the Haverhill Memorial Post #5245 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Grafton–Kane Lodge # 46 F&AM of North Haverhill. He is also a life member of the New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Association and Retired Law Officers Association. He married the former Barbara Atwood on March 6, 1948, and she predeceased him on February 5, 1997. He was also predeceased by a son, John A. “Jack” Roden, Jr. on April 3, 2003, and a brother, Rev. Thomas Roden.

Survivors include three sons, Scott and wife Diana of Benton, NH, Jeffrey Roden and wife Katie of North Conway, NH, and Bradley Roden of Benton, NH; six grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren; along with several nieces and nephews.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be on Thursday, June 6 at 1 p.m., at Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch Street, Woodsville, with Pastor Susan Ellery, officiating. A private burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Woodsville at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Division of Development, 901 E Street NW, Suite 100, Washington DC 20004-2025.