About H&S

Sentra Protective Systems, Inc. was formed in September of 1998 by Steve Garritson, Chris Utter, and Todd Courtney.  All three were a part of the management team at Central Control Alarm, which at the time was the largest private security systems company in the state of Wisconsin. When Central Control was acquired by a national company in 1997, Garritson, Utter, and Courtney realized they could fill a void for a locally-owned and operated security provider in Southeastern Wisconsin. Courtney’s affiliation with the company ended in 2006.

In May 2004, Sentra was recognized by Security Distributing and Marketing Magazine (SDM) as one of the top 100 electronic security service and installation firms in the United States. Out of 15,000 firms in the nation, SPS was ranked number 59 overall, and number 13 for non-residential installation.

In May 2005, Sentra was recognized by the Wisconsin Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (now known as the Wisconsin Security Association) as Dealer of the Year. This honor is awarded each year in recognition of past and present service to the association as well as a commitment to excellence in the security industry and in the community.

On January 1, 2007, Sentra merged with Horgan Sales & Service of Stevens Point, WI to form H&S Protection Systems. Chris Utter’s affiliation with the company ended in 2008.

Horgan Sales & Service, Inc. originated in 1959 when the late David O. Horgan was approached by a retiring Stevens Point fireman who wanted someone to continue providing fire extinguisher sales and service to the community.  Dave said yes and the company was born in the basement of his home.  Soon after its introduction to the market, restaurant fire suppression systems were added to the product line.  Throughout the 1960’s, the company consisted of one part-time employee (Dave), and several outside contractors.

In September of 1971, Dave’s son Ed moved back to the Midwest with his wife and children to become the first full-time employee and second-generation leader of the company.  Incorporation took place later that year.

Within the first year, business grew enough in terms of employees and revenue that it was necessary to move the company from Dave’s residence to a rented facility at 809 College Avenue in Stevens Point (formerly the site of the Center Point Marketplace).

By mid-1975, a decision was made to diversify further by offering security and fire alarm systems.  The company promptly sold its first alarm system to a bar on Stanley Street.  But it had to admit that it had nobody to install it correctly and professionally.  Harvey Churkey, who recently retired after nearly 50 years of service, was hired specifically to help install that system and to train the rest of the company on how to service and install alarm systems.  Within about a week, he was offered a full-time position and became the head of the company’s new Alarm Division.

Later that same year, the company began a 24-hour alarm-monitoring center.  To supplement the workload for that operation, the company purchased a small 8-hour telephone answering service.  Soon after, the company launched a 24-hour telephone answering service and monitoring center out of a separate office (also located on College Avenue).  In 1981, pagers were added to the product line.

In the summer of 1984, the city of Stevens Point moved ahead with plans to construct the Center Point Mall.  This forced Horgan Sales & Service to move both College Avenue operations into its present facility at 901 Clark Street in June of 1984.

In May of 1991, the fire protection division was sold as the company began to set its focus solely on the alarm industry.  It was at this time that Horgan Sales began to call itself an Electronic Protection Company.

In May of 1994, Ed’s son, Mike, returned to Stevens Point with his family and became the 3rd generation to work in full-time management of the firm.  Mike officially assumed full responsibility for the company in January of 1999.

In March of 1996, the company sold its Answering Service and Pager Divisions to further narrow its focus on the Electronic Protection Industry.

In May 2006, Horgan Sales & Service was recognized by the Wisconsin Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (now known as the Wisconsin Security Association) as Dealer of the Year.  This honor is awarded each year in recognition of past and present service to the association as well as a commitment to excellence in the security industry and in the community.

On January 1, 2007, Horgan merged with Sentra Protective Systems of Waukesha, WI to form H&S Protection Systems, Inc.