The chiefs of police and fire department in Hanover, Massachusetts, have lived practically parallel lives. After 43 years serving the same community, both are retiring simultaneously as 2021 winds to a close. The two men, Walter L. Sweeney of Hanover Police Department and Fire Chief Jeff Blanchard, born just four days apart, were friends in middle school. As teenagers, both started their careers as call firefighters—Sweeny in 1977 and Blanchard in 1978—before splitting off into their respective departments. The officers remained friends over their careers. After having kids, their families went on trips together, though duty often called on the radio; and when one had to leave a gathering, the other often had to also excuse himself. Sweeney went from being a call firefighter to an emergency communications dispatcher in 1978, and became a police officer in 1982. After joining the police force full time in 1982, he worked the 4 …