ANDOVER — Andover public safety officers and firefighters unveiled a memorial plaque in the memory of a longtime employee and named the communications center after him on Friday.
The dedication of The Charles Jessico Memorial Communications Center took place nearly one year after the death of Charles “Chuck” Jessico who was a dispatcher and communications supervisor for the town’s police and fire departments for 25 years.
Jessico died unexpectedly on March 28, 2025. He was 52.
The memorial plaque hangs next to the dispatcher’s window in the center’s lobby. The Andover Public Safety Center, at 32 N. Main St., houses both the town’s police and fire department. Jessico worked closely with both departments.
Members of the Police Department and Andover Fire Rescue, former staff and Jessico’s family and friends filled the lobby of the Public Safety Center for the dedication.
Lori Jessico spoke about how her husband had two families, his own and work. She spoke of her late husband as a dedicated public servant who supported the “best of the best.”
Her husband spent half his life working in Andover public safety. He began his career as a town dispatcher in 2000 when the Police Department was still operating out of its old station. He was promoted to supervisor in 2013.
“You are his second family, and he loved you all,” Lori Jessico told Andover police and fire rescue members.
Police Chief Patrick Keefe reached over and touched the memorial plaque as he spoke about how dedicating the communications center preserved the longtime public servant’s legacy.
“It was the perfect way to recognize someone who meant so much to this department,” Keefe said.
“Chuck was a friend to everyone in this building,” he added. “He made me laugh in every conversation we had and that was daily.”
Keefe spoke about Jessico’s calm and easy-going presence that put people at ease, “whether they were standing in front of him or calling in during the worst moments of their lives.” The police chief said those characteristics made him “an exceptional dispatcher.”
As a supervisor, he described Jessico as the embodiment of a leader and someone who was supportive of his team.
Andover fire Chief Kyle Murphy echoed the sentiments about Jessico, describing him as someone who could always be counted on. Murphy saw Jessico as a good friend who cared about his work and the people around him.
Murphy said it was only fitting that the center carry his name because the job of dispatch is “such an important part of what we do.”