By NANCY WEST, InDepthNH.org

After 27 years in law enforcement, Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg says “it is without reservation that I submit my formal letter of retirement.”

His retirement will be effective Nov. 29, according to a letter he wrote to Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, Law Enforcement Partners and Citizens of Manchester.

“During the course of my career, I have experienced many challenges and difficult times. However there have been many great moments along the way and I have been extremely fortunate throughout my career,” Aldenberg said.

He thanked former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig, who is the democratic nominee running for governor, and the board of mayor and aldermen who gave him the opportunity to serve as chief.

Aldenberg was chief during the long and tragic search for Harmony Montgomery, 5, that ended with her father Adam Montgomery being found guilty of murdering her. Manchester police launched an investigation into her disappearance in December of 2021. Harmony’s body has never been found.

Adam Montgomery was found guilty in February of murdering Harmony and was sentenced in May to serve 45 years to life in prison for her murder, plus another 11 years for related crimes.

In his retirement letter, Aldenberg also thanked former Chief Steven Monier of the Goffstown Police Department “who gave me my start in this profession in 1998. He took a chance on an unknown and I will be forever grateful to him for doing so.” He said the same pertains to Chief John Jaskolka who hired him in Manchester in 2003.

He also thanks his wife Emily and their children.