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