Danvers Remembers Chief Ambrose: 'We're All Grieving'

DANVERS, MA — Danvers Town Manager Steve Bartha allowed he had his share of "spirited discussions" with Pat Ambrose over the seven years they worked together in Danvers.

Yet, something Bartha said he always respected about Ambrose as a Danvers police captain and later the town's police chief for five years is that he was a "reliable, straight shooter" who would always tell you exactly what he thought.

The town celebrated the 35-year career of Ambrose and his contributions to the town just last week.

This week, many who knew him for three decades or more are reacting to his sudden death this weekend, and remembering a man with the character to tell you what you might not want to hear, and then stand together with you for the benefit of the town when a consensus was reached.

"Since I've been here, and especially in his five years as chief, I really enjoyed working with Pat," Bartha told Patch Tuesday morning. "We certainly didn't agree on everything and we had a lot of spirited discussions in my office. I changed his mind sometimes and he changed my mind sometimes. But we always emerged on the same page.

"I really valued his opinion and I relied on him knowing that we would always speak the truth to each other. I'm going to miss him."

Bartha ordered all American flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Ambrose at town buildings, schools and the town common through sunrise on Friday.

"I think the community is in shock," Bartha said. "We're all shocked. We're all grieving. Pat was a guy who was born and raised in Danvers and gave us 35 years of service."

Ambrose's final day on the job was Jan. 8 when a parade of cruiser and fire apparatus lights provided a socially distanced sendoff before his son, Danvers Patrolman Patrick Ambrose Jr., issued a touching final radio call.

The department announced Ambrose's sudden passing on Saturday night, and offered condolences to his wife, Wendy, and children, Patrick, Brenna and Aidan.

"He had earned a break (in retirement)," Bartha said. "That was taken away from him. We are still trying to wrap our heads around going from having a retirement for him a week ago and then a funeral two weeks later. It's unbelievable."

Bartha said the police captains and family are working together through Peterson-O'Donnell Funeral Home to provide a socially distanced way for colleagues and residents to pay respects.

"Pat was a very private person and they want to make sure whatever is planned is acceptable and agreeable to the family," Bartha said.

Over the three-day weekend, area departments shared their thoughts with Ambrose's family and the Danvers police on their loss.

With town offices closed for Martin Luther King Day on Monday, Tuesday was the first day back for many since hearing of Ambrose's death.

"Since Saturday night there has been a constant communication and a lot of processing going on," Bartha said. "We have support in place for community members who need it. A lot of these people have known Pat for not only the 35 years he was in the department but much longer than that.

"It's been hard and it's going to be hard for a while."

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