UPDATE: Billerica Police Identify Juveniles Who Made Threatening Call to Billerica Memorial High School; Determine Threat Unfounded

BILLERICA —   Chief Roy Frost reports that the Billerica Police Department identified three out-of-town juveniles as being responsible for a threatening telephone call that was made to Billerica Memorial High School on Friday.

An ongoing investigation into the matter has also determined that none of the three juveniles involved have access to weapons, or the ability to act on the threat.

On Thursday, June 5, at 1 p.m., the Billerica Police Department began investigating a threat that was called into Billerica Memorial High School. In accordance with pre-established procedures, the school was placed into lockdown.

As the investigation continued and an initial threat assessment was conducted, students were sent home early. Police, who had a school resource officer at BMHS, increased their presence at all schools in town.

The investigation into the threat continued into Thursday night. Police were able to identify three juveniles from Charlestown as being responsible for the threatening call.

In coordination with the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, appropriate juvenile court charges will be pursued.

“It’s unfortunate that this happened, but I am pleased to report that we have identified the juveniles behind this threatening call and determined that this was an attempted prank gone wrong,” said Chief Frost. “At no time were our students or our community in danger. I want to thank Billerica Public Schools for their response to this incident. We prepare and train together for exactly this reason. I also want to thank the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council Special Response Team, as well as our police colleagues in Burlington, Bedford, Tewksbury, Wilmington and Chelmsford for their assistance.”

Named After a Hero: Billerica Police Department Names Newest K9 In Honor of Fallen Officer Kenneth Collins

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K9 KC, pictured here, is a 11-week-old black Labrador who is named after Billerica Police Officer Kenneth Collins, who gave his life in the line of duty in 1969. (Photo Courtesy Billerica Police Department)

BILLERICA — Chief Roy Frost reports that the Billerica Police Department will name its newest K9 after Officer Kenneth Collins, who gave his life in the line of duty in 1969.

KC, an 11-week-old puppy, was named by Officer Collins’ widow Margie Collins, who passed away at age 95 last week. Margie Collins chose the name KC over a proposed name of Collins. The Collins family met KC at Margie Collins’ funeral last week.

Officer Collins, who had served Billerica Police for 10 years, died as a result of head injuries he suffered while responding to a fight at a local bar on Oct. 7, 1969. He left behind his wife, father, two brothers and five children.

Billerica Police began naming K9s after fallen police officers about three years ago. The first was K9 Cassius, named after fallen Officer Cassius White, who was killed in the line of duty in 1939. K9 Cassius is now 3 years old and certified in tracking. K9 Cassius and Officer Joseph LaMarca will soon train to become certified in evidence recovery as well.

K9 Cassius and K9 KC will serve alongside K9 Skye, who is now 7 years old. K9 Skye is trained in both tracking and evidence recovery. She was not named after a fallen officer, though the department’s next new K9 will be.

K9 KC will start training next Spring. She is living with Skye’s handler, Sgt. Rocco Magliozzi, and undergoing basic obedience training.

Once K9 KC is trained in tracking, she will additionally be trained in either narcotics or explosive ordinance detection, while K9 Cassius will be trained in whichever discipline K9 KC is not.

Both K9 Cassius and K9 KC were donated as puppies to the Billerica Police Department by Foxbend Labs, of Hillsborough, NH.

All Billerica Police K9s receive training from the Connecticut State Police K9 Unit, and they are all certified through the New England State Police Administrators Conference (NESPAC).

“It was our honor to be able to name KC after Officer Kenneth Collins. This is yet another way in which we seek to keep Officer Collins, and all other fallen officers of the Billerica Police Department, alive in our memories. Margie Collins and her children were very excited as they decided on KC as the name of the future police K9.  It was definitely gratifying to be able to introduce KC to the Collins family last week during Margie Collins funeral services at Sweeneys Funeral Home in Billerica,” said Chief Frost. “I want to thank Foxbend Labs for donating another puppy to use. Foxbend Labs have been a major supporter of the Billerica Police K9 program, and we could not be more grateful.”

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KC at 11 weeks old

The family of fallen Billerica Police Officer Kenneth Collins stands with Billerica Police K9 KC, who is named in Officer Collins’ honor. K9 KC was able to visit the funeral of Officer Collins’ widow, Margie, who passed away last week at age 95. (Photo Courtesy Billerica Police Department)

Billerica Police Department Mourns Passing of Retired Chief Paul Matthews

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Chief Paul Matthews (Ret.)

 

BILLERICA — Chief Roy Frost is saddened to share that retired Billerica Police Chief Paul Matthews, who served the department from 1970 to 2001, passed away on Friday at the age of 78.

A lifelong Billerica resident, Chief Matthews joined the Billerica Police Department on Nov. 2, 1970. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1982, to Lieutenant in 1984, and to Chief in 1994. He served the department as Chief until his retirement in 2001.

Chief Matthews held a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Lowell, and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College.

Chief Matthews was also a U.S. Navy veteran who served on active duty from 1967 to 1968, and with the U.S. Naval Reserves until 1972.

“Chief Paul Matthews was a committed public servant who loved the community where he spent his entire life,” said Chief Frost. “Even after retirement, Chief Matthews stayed involved in service through his work with the Billerica Municipal Credit Union, the Cemetery Commission and other boards. He always made time to show up for public events, especially those involving the Billerica Police Department. He was a wealth of historical knowledge on all things Billerica and would always be ready to tell a story to anyone he met. He will truly be missed.”

Chief Matthews was married to his wife Sandy Matthews for 57 years. They have two children — Michael Matthews, of Chelmsford, and Karen Fisher, of Virginia Beach, VA. The couple also has five grandchildren — James, Christopher, Sean, Caitlin and Matthew. Chief Matthews also leaves behind a sister, Regina Powers, of Billerica.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 6, at Sweeney Funeral Home, 66 Concord Road, Billerica from 4 to 7 p.m.  A funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 7, in the funeral home at 11 a.m., with internment at Fox Hill Cemetery in Billerica.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Chief Matthews’ name to the Jonathan E. Reardon Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Enterprise Bank, 647 Boston Road, Billerica MA 01821.

To reach Chief Matthews’ obituary, click here.

Billerica Police Department Welcomes Seven New Officers from the Police Academy

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Billerica Police commanders stand with seven new police officers at the Billerica Police Memorial outside of the police station. From left are Sgt. Cory Bandouveres, Officer Joseph Zuccaro, Lt. Robert Beloin, Officer Samuel Hawkes, Officer Thomas Cranson, Officer Matthew Irwin, Chief Roy Frost, Officer Aaron Sprague, Officer John Eldridge, Lt. Commander John Harring, and Officer Aaron Welborn. (Photo Courtesy Billerica Police Department)

BILLERICA — Chief Roy Frost is pleased to report that the Billerica Police Department is welcoming seven new police officers who graduated from police academies.

Officers Aaron Welborn and Matthew Irwin graduated on Feb. 14 from the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) Police Academy in Haverhill. Officers Joseph Zuccaro, Aaron Sprague, Samuel Hawkes, and Thomas Cranson graduated on Feb. 28 from the MPTC Police Academy in Lynnfield.

All six officers are now undergoing a 12-week Field Training Program, working under the direct supervision of a more experienced officer.  Also undergoing Field Training is Officer John Eldridge, who graduated in January of 2024 from the MPTC Police Academy in Lynnfield. Officer Eldridge deployed to Iraq with the Massachusetts National Guard shortly after completing the police academy and returned to duty in Billerica on Feb. 21.

Officer John Eldridge

“I am extremely pleased that, amid nationwide issues with recruitment, we were able to find seven well-qualified candidates to become police officers in our community,” said Chief Frost. “I’m also pleased to welcome Officer Eldridge back to Billerica. I look forward to seeing where all seven of these individuals end up in their careers.”

Officer Joseph Zuccaro

Officer Zuccaro is a nearly life-long Billerica resident who played youth sports in town and graduated from Billerica Memorial High School in 2011. He earned a bachelor’s in criminal justice and psychology from the University of New Haven in 2015. Officer Zuccaro spent five years working as a special education paraprofessional in Brookline and Lexington. In 2019, he became a probation officer, working in Waltham and Concord District Courts and Roxbury Municipal Court.

“Working for the Billerica Police Department allows me to continue to help and serve individuals and finally allows me to give back to the community that I grew up in,” said Officer Zuccaro.

Officer Aaron Welborn

Officer Welborn grew up in Baltimore and served in both the United States Air Force and the United States Coast Guard, serving for a total of 14 years. He grew to like Massachusetts while stationed here and was drawn to a career in law enforcement.

“I wanted to become a police officer because I’ve always been drawn to helping people and wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself,” said Officer Welborn. “I’m extremely excited for this opportunity to serve the town.”

Officer Aaron Sprague

 

Officer Sprague is a Billerica native who graduated from Billerica Memorial High School in 2019. He earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Middlesex Community College, and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from UMass Lowell. Prior to completing the police academy, Officer Sprague worked for the U.S. Postal Service.

“I’m both honored and excited to begin serving this great community as part of its police department,” said Officer Sprague. “I look forward to being able to help those in need and make a positive impact on people’s lives.”

Officer Matthew Irwin

Officer Irwin is a Billerica native who graduated from Shawsheen Valley Technical High School, where he studied HVAC. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Framingham State University, where he also played ice hockey. Officer Irwin worked in construction before completing the police academy.

“Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to be a police officer, and having the ability to do so in the town that I grew up in is an incredible honor. I am very excited to get started,” said Officer Irwin.

Officer Samuel Hawkes

Officer Hawkes is a Billerica native who graduated in 2021 from Billerica Memorial High School, where he played ice hockey. Officer Hawkes has worked in construction since graduation.

“I wanted to become a police officer in my hometown to serve and protect the community where I grew up,” said Officer Hawkes. “I am very happy to join Billerica Police, and I look forward to meeting the many great people around the Town of Billerica.”

Officer Thomas Cranson

Officer Cranson’s a Belmont native who moved to Billerica while attending Arlington Catholic High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Westfield State University. Officer Cranson worked as a security officer at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington.

“I became a police officer because I wanted to serve my community and try to make a positive impact on the people that I interact with. This has always been a lifelong goal of mine and look forward to serving the Billerica Community with pride,” said Officer Cranson.

Seven new police officers who are undergoing 12-week Field Training Programs stand together at the Billerica Police Department. (Photo Courtesy Billerica Police Department)- Note: Officer John Eldridge pictured on far left

Billerica Police Department Charges Man in Connection with Breaking and Entering

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BILLERICA — Chief Roy Frost announces that the Billerica Police Department arrested a man in connection with a series of break-ins at a local storage facility.

MICHAEL PAYNE, AGE 49, OF NO KNOWN ADDRESS, was arrested and charged with:

  • Receiving Stolen Property (Two Counts)
  • Breaking Into a Depository (Two Counts)
  • Malicious Destruction of Property

On Thursday, Jan. 30, at approximately 1 p.m., Billerica Police were notified of damage to a storage unit and an apparent break-in at Extra Space Storage, 26 Cook St.

Police discovered that several units of the storage facility were broken into by someone who pried back the roof of the units to gain entry. An estimated $25,000 worth of items were taken from several units.

A subsequent investigation that involved reviewing surveillance footage from the facility, as well as entry pins, identified a blue Honda CRV as a vehicle involved in the thefts.

Police then observed a blue Honda CRV enter and exit the storage facility later Thursday night, and stopped the vehicle a short distance away on Boston Road.

During the motor vehicle stop, police located several items that were taken in the break-ins inside the Honda and identified the driver as PAYNE. PAYNE also fit the description of a man seen in surveillance videos of the break-in.

PAYNE was taken into custody without further incident. Payne was arraigned Friday January 31, 2025 in Lowell District Court.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

UPDATE: Billerica Police Arrest Third Suspect in VFW Break In and Safe Theft

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BILLERICA — Chief Roy Frost announces that the Billerica Police Department arrested a third suspect in connection with a break-in at a local VFW post.

PETER GEORGE POULAKOS, 32, OF LOWELL, was arrested and charged with:

  • Breaking & Entering Nighttime for Felony
  • Conspiracy
  • Larceny Over $1,200
  • Break Into Depository
  • Larceny from a Building

Peter George Poulakos, 32, of Lowell

On Monday, Jan. 13, around 8 a.m., police were called to the Solomon VFW Post, 12 Phiney St., for a report of a break-in and stolen safe. A janitorial employee entered the building that morning and noticed the safe was missing. The bartender said the safe was still inside the location when they left the previous night.

A subsequent investigation used evidence found at the scene and surveillance footage from the area to develop information on a pickup truck that was used to transport the safe away from the VFW. Police subsequently identified POULAKOS, CHRISTOPHER JOHN SILVA, 53, OF LOWELL, and SAN SIN, 47, OF LOWELL, as suspects. The safe was discarded in Lowell and recovered by police as the investigation was ongoing.

On Wednesday, Jan. 15, Billerica Police, assisted by the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC), Lowell Police and Chelmsford Police, executed a search warrant related to the investigation at an address on Wright Street in Lowell.

As a result of the search warrant, police located cash and evidence related to the break-in and theft of the safe. Police subsequently arrested SILVA and SIN without further incident. A fourth individual, a 49-year-old Lowell man, will be summonsed to court at a later date to face charges in connection with the incident.

On Friday, Jan. 17, at approximately 8:30 a.m., Billerica Police, with assistance from Lowell Police, located POULAKOS at the home on Wright Street in Lowell where the search warrant was previously served. POULAKOS was taken into custody without further incident.

POULAKOS will be arraigned Friday in Lowell District Court.

SILVA and SIN were arraigned previously, and their cases remain pending.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.