Deputy Police Chief Gerard Dussault was not only valued for his police work in Londonderry community during his 33 years working at the Londonderry Police Department, he was respected in the community as an upright, decent man with a big heart who had a lot to give to others.
Mr. Dussault earned the honorific “Uncle Gerry” nickname from colleagues and certain Londonderry citizens, because of his openness and life experiences. Those who know him, speak of him as an honest, all around good guy.
The police department held a retirement ceremony for Dussault at the end of November and he was honored at the police station by department members, family, friends and town officials. Many other current and former police chiefs, former town managers, town councilors were also present at the ceremony.
Former Londonderry Police Chief Joe Ryan pointed out the Deputy Chief appreciated his responsibilities to the community and would always put other people’s concerns before his own though now going into retirement, he could now put his family time first.
Current Police Chief, William Hart noted Dussault will be missed and was a “solid and reliable fixture” trusted for his judgment and looked upon as a role model by the rank and file officers. “It’s really distilled into one thing: decency.” Chief Hart said he considers Dussault, a dear friend who worked with a mindset to make Londonderry “one of the best police departments in the state.”
At the retirement ceremony, Hart and administrative staff presented flowers to Dussault’s wife, Jodi, and gave a custom license plate to Dussault, which has the Londonderry Police code number.
Before the speeches began in the community function room, Dussault performed in a “walk of honor” ceremony through a hallway lined with officers, family and friends.
Town Council Chairman John Farrell awarded Dussault a commemorative jacket and a framed proclamation on behalf of the council. Chairman Farrell said, “It’s the hardest job on the planet, being a policeman, …and Dussault always did a good job because “deep down in his heart, he really cares.”
Town Manager, Kevin Smith called Mr. Dassault a “straight shooter” loyal to the community and his department members. Londonderry Town department colleagues pointed out that Dussault was a constant source of perceptive advice for town leaders as well as younger police officers. “Gerry dispensed advice right up to the last minutes before his retirement.” Smith said.
Deputy Chief Dussault had many different roles since he began as a Londonderry Police Department officer on November 12, 1985. He rose to a top position in the department as Deputy Chief, a role that also leveraged his skills as the operations commander, to oversee uniform patrols and the investigative unit.
He held the following ranks during his police career: Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and was the first person in the Department to hold the rank of Deputy Chief.
When the Londonderry Police took over Law Enforcement duties at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in 2006, he held the key position to ensure a successful transition from the Rockingham County Sheriffs to the Londonderry Police Department at the airport.
Dussault also performed the vigorous police role to command Londonderry’s first Airport Police Division. “And we’ve not had a bad day since,” Police Chief Bill Hart said. “Every day now is a good day with MHT.”
Dussault also was a member of the Southern New Hampshire Special Operations Unit (SNHSOU) and held several important roles in his long tenure at the Unit.
As a police leader and superior, Dussault was dedicated to his officers, so he was involved for many years in the training and education for the Londonderry Police Department.
People in the community, who heard about his retirement, expressed gratitude to Deputy Chief Dussault for his outstanding service to the department and Londonderry citizens.
At his retirement, Dussault told the crowd to value love of service and family above all and to “make sure you keep close the things in life that matter the most.”