Billerica Police Department Promotes Sarah Heffernan to Sergeant

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Billerica Police Sgt. Sarah Heffernan stands by as Chief Roy Frost makes comments during a ceremony promoting Heffernan to the rank of sergeant. She becomes just the third woman in Billerica Police history to reach the rank of sergeant. (Photo Courtesy Billerica Police Department)

BILLERICA — Chief Roy Frost is pleased to report that the Billerica Police Department promoted School Resource Officer Sarah Heffernan to the rank of Sergeant, making her only the third woman to earn promotion within the department.

Sgt. Heffernan is an 11-year veteran of law enforcement, dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of her community. A native of Billerica and a proud graduate of Billerica Memorial High School, Sgt. Heffernan pursued higher education at Westfield State College, where she graduated with honors, earning a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology.

Sgt. Heffernan began her law enforcement career in the patrol division and quickly established herself as a committed and compassionate officer. Her early work in the Adopt-a-School program allowed her to foster positive relationships with local schools, paving the way for her future role as a School Resource Officer (SRO). Before becoming a full-time SRO, she served as a part-time SRO at the Valley Collaborative High School in Billerica, further honing her skills in youth engagement and conflict resolution.

In 2020, Sgt. Heffernan transitioned to her role as the full-time SRO at Shawsheen Valley Technical High School, where she continued to make a significant impact on student safety, mentoring, and community outreach. Through her extensive experience and passion for student development, Sgt. Heffernan is a trusted figure at Shawsheen Valley Tech, fostering an environment where students can thrive both academically and personally.

Outside of her professional life, Sgt. Heffernan resides locally with her husband and two children.

Sgt. Heffernan is the third female Billerica officer to achieve the rank of Sergeant, following now-retired Sgt. Cathy Coneeny and current Lt. Tara Connors.  Due to her promotion, Sgt. Heffernan will now serve as a patrol supervisor. Officer Greg Micalizzi will be taking over the position as School Resource Officer at Shawsheen Tech.

Billerica Police Sgt. Sarah Heffernan, at center, stands with commanders and colleagues after she was promoted to sergeant this week. From left are Officer Charles Guarino, Sgt. Dwayne Eidens, Officer Chris Philbrook, Lt. John Zarro, Lt Commander Frank Mirasolo, Chief Roy Frost, Sgt. Heffernan, Deputy Chief Glen Magnan, Officer Greg Micalizzi, Lt. Commander John Harring, Officer Paul Ware, and Officer Shane Casey. (Photo Courtesy Billerica Police Department)

Billerica Police reports multiple overnight car breaks in Pinehurst section of Town

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 Billerica, MA – July 25, 2025 – There were multiple overnight car breaks reported in the area of Pines Road, William Road and Christian Ave.  As of this release, we have nine (9) separate breaks reported, however evidence suggests many more that will likely either go unreported or will be reported later today/tonight.  Please be vigilant with securing items of value and locking your vehicles at all times.  We also ask that residents report suspicious activity and pay attention to their home video camera systems that may have caught valuable footage of potential suspect(s).

 

Any information can be reported by calling 978-671-0900 or our online tip line at www.billericapolice.org

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Billerica Police Department Charges New York Man with Drug Distribution

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RAFAEL ANDUJAR-BERNABEL, AGE 53, of BROOKLYN, N.Y., was arrested and charged with Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws, and Operating with a Suspended License. (Photo Courtesy Billerica Police Department)

BILLERICA — Chief Roy Frost reports that the Billerica Police Department arrested and charged a New York man with possession with intent to distribute multiple drugs.

RAFAEL ANDUJAR-BERNABEL, AGE 53, of BROOKLYN, N.Y., was arrested and charged with:

  • Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute
  • Possession of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
  • Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws
  • Operating with a Suspended License
  • Warrants

On Tuesday, July 22, Billerica Police detectives were conducting surveillance in the area of Boston Road just south of Billerica Center when they observed what appeared to be a drug deal involving an individual in a vehicle and an individual on foot.

Detectives approached and detained the individual in the vehicle, eventually identifying him as ANDUJAR-BERNABEL, despite the fact that he had multiple aliases and mutilated fingerprints. Upon learning ANDUJAR-BERNABEL‘s identity, police learned he was wanted on multiple warrants.

Detectives located approximately 1 gram of fentanyl, approximately 2 grams of crack cocaine, and approximately $350 in cash in the vehicle and on ANDUJAR-BERNABEL.

ANDUJAR-BERNABEL was taken into custody at the scene.

ANDUJAR-BERNABEL is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in Lowell District Court.

Billerica Police Department Welcomes Four New Officers

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Officers Ryan Hogan, Shane Casey, Thomas Zarro and Charles Guarino are joining the Billerica Police Department. Here they are standing next to the Billerica Police Department Memorial outside of Town Hall and the police station. (Photo Courtesy Billerica Police Department)

BILLERICA — Chief Roy Frost is pleased to report that the Billerica Police Department is welcoming four new officers.

Officer Ryan Hogan and Officer Shane Casey are joining the department after graduating from the 20-week Massachusetts Police Training Committee (MPTC) Boylston Police Academy last week.

Officer Thomas Zarro joins the department from Burlington Police and is the Billerica Police Department’s first-ever hire under the new Local Registry hiring option offered by the Civil Service Commission. Officer Charles Guarino joins the department from Newton Police.

Officer Hogan is a lifelong resident of Billerica, who graduated from Billerica Memorial High School, where he was captain of the football team. Officer Hogan served with the U.S. Marine Corps for four years, where he earned the rank of corporal.

“I have always aspired to be a police officer since I was young, so I decided to leave the Marines and pursue a career in law enforcement,” said Officer Hogan. “I took the civil service exam immediately after being discharged from the Marines and graduated from the Boylston Police Academy. I am incredibly excited to begin my career of service with the Billerica Police Department.”

Officer Casey is a lifelong Billerica resident who graduated from Billerica Memorial High School. Officer Casey has an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Middlesex Community College. He is the brother of a Lowell Police sergeant. 

“Growing up, I knew immediately that this was the path I wanted to pursue and never thought otherwise,” said Officer Casey. “I started my career with the Billerica Police Department in January of 2020 as a dispatcher with the hope of reaching my overall goal of becoming a police officer. I am grateful for this opportunity and am fortunate to serve the community that I grew up in.”

Officer Zarro grew up in Billerica and graduated from Billerica Memorial High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology from the University of Southern Maine. Officer Zarro graduated from the Lowell Police Academy in 2018 and has worked for Burlington Police since then. During his time with Burlington Police, Officer Zarro served as a field training officer, assistant court prosecutor and drone operator. 

“I now look forward to serving the community I have been connected to for years,” said Officer Zarro.

Officer Guarino has lived in Billerica for the past 10 years and transferred from the Newton Police Department so he could work in the community where he lives. Officer Guarino spent almost 10 years with Newton Police, serving as a METROLEC motorcycle instructor, an MPTC firearms instructor and as a field training officer. Officer Guarino earned a master’s degree in criminal justice from UMass Lowell.

“It has been my lifelong goal to become a police officer, and I am looking forward to this opportunity with the Billerica Police Department,” said Officer Guarino.

“These officers are well-prepared and well-qualified for their new careers with the Billerica Police Department, and we are excited to welcome them on board,” said Chief Frost.

Four new Billerica Police officers stand together with town officials and colleagues. From left are Assistant Town Manager Robert Maynard, Interim Town Manager Chris Dillon, Chief Roy Frost, Officer Charles Guarino, Officer Ryan Hogan, Officer Thomas Zarro, Officer Shane Casey, Lt. Commander John Harring, Detective Lt. Sean Coffey, EMS Director Robert O’Brien, Training Sgt. Cory Bandouveres and Dispatcher Elena Mazza. (Photo Courtesy Billerica Police Department)

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)