Billerica Police Respond to Fatal Crash

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BILLERICA — Chief Roy Frost and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan report that the Billerica Police Department responded to a crash that caused a fatality at Salem Road (Route 129) and Gray Street.

On Friday, Jan. 12 at approximately 12:10 p.m., Billerica Police, Fire and EMS were dispatched to Salem Road and Gray Street for a report of a two-vehicle collision.

Officers arrived to discover two vehicles that appeared to have crashed into one another, with a driver and passenger in each vehicle. Two individuals were evaluated at the scene but not transported, while two individuals were taken by ambulance to Lowell General Hospital. One of those individuals, an adult male, was later pronounced dead.

Salem Road and Gray Street were closed in the area as the initial stages of an investigation were conducted.

The crash remains under investigation by Billerica Police, with assistance from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section.

Anyone with information on this crash is asked to call Billerica Police at 978-671-0900.

Billerica Police Department Welcomes New Officer

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BILLERICA — Chief Roy Frost is pleased to share that the Billerica Police Department is welcoming a U.S. Army veteran as the newest member of the department.

Officer John Eldridge graduated from the Massachusetts Police Training Commission’s Lynnfield Police Academy on Jan. 4. He was sworn in Wednesday by Town Clerk Donna McCoy.

Officer Eldridge is a lifelong Billerica resident whose father is retired Newton Police Sgt. Frank Eldridge. Officer Eldridge’s sister, Kristyna Eldridge, is a Billerica Police Dispatcher.

Officer Eldridge has served in the U.S. Army for 10 years, including six years on active duty and four years with the Massachusetts National Guard. He is a Staff Sergeant with the Army.

Officer Eldridge will deploy with the National Guard to the Middle East at the end of January as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Upon his return to Billerica, Officer Eldridge will enter a Field Training Program with a more experienced Billerica Officer before beginning to patrol on his own.

“Ever since I first saw my father in his police uniform, I’ve wanted to follow in his footsteps. If I can be even just half the officer he was I know I will make a positive difference in peoples lives,” said Officer Eldridge. “Growing up in Billerica I’ve known I’ve wanted to serve this community and help people. Now that I’ve finally joined Billerica Police I know I’ll be working with some of the best. It’s truly a dream come true to become a police officer. I want to have a positive impact on the Billerica community.”

Billerica Emergency Medical Services Puts New Ambulance into Service

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Billerica Emergency Medical Services new P150 advanced life support ambulance.

BILLERICA — Chief Roy Frost is pleased to share that the Billerica Emergency Medical Services, a division of the police department, has put a new advanced life support ambulance into service.

The 2023 Ford Diesel ambulance, manufactured by Osage, replaces a 2018 Ram ambulance that has been having maintenance issues. The new truck was delivered last week and put into service in the new year.

The P150 ambulance is one of four owned by Billerica EMS, which operates two front line ambulances and two backup ambulances. The new P150 will be one of the front line ambulances.

Billerica EMS responds to approximately 4,600 ambulance calls per year and provides paramedic-level service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“We’re grateful for this new equipment, which will allow us to continue to provide reliable, high-level emergency medical care for the residents of the town of Billerica,” said EMS Director Joseph Devlin.

“Many people may not be aware how unique the Town of Billerica is with respect to its EMS services,” said Chief Frost. “Our highly trained Paramedics operate as an independent third service, solely focused on emergency medicine. They provide 5-star patient care to the residents of Billerica with the assistance of their Fire and Police Department colleagues. Together, this comprehensive approach to patient care results in one of the best EMS programs in the State of Massachusetts. I want to thank our Town Meeting representatives for supporting us in maintaining this high level of care with the latest and most reliable equipment available.”

Billerica Emergency Medical Services new P150 advanced life support ambulance.

Billerica Police Department Promotes Glen Magnan as Deputy Chief Jerry Roche Retires

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BILLERICA — Chief Roy Frost is pleased to share that lieutenant Glen Magnan was promoted to Deputy Chief of the Billerica Police Department as Deputy Chief Jerry Roche retires from the position.

From left, retiring Deputy Chief Jerry Roche, newly promoted Deputy Chief Glen Magnan, and Chief Roy Frost.

Deputy Chief Roche has served with Billerica Police since 1987. He was promoted to sergeant in 2002, lieutenant in 2012, and deputy chief in 2022.

Roche supervised the Community Policing Office over the years, and also served as police prosecutor. He oversaw building maintenance, the sex offender registry, School Resource Officers and the Traffic Department in his time as a police supervisor.

Deputy Roche also oversaw the Billerica Police Detective Bureau during his time as deputy chief.

Roche is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has also served as a member of the Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Deputy Roche is a recipient of the George Hannah Award for Bravery. He was recognized with the award for running into a burning building in Lowell to rescue a family from the top floor on June 27, 2000.

In 1990, Roche came out as gay, and ended up travelling around the state to teach courses on diversity awareness at police academies. He has also been a proud participant in Billerica’s annual Gay Pride events in the Town Center.

“It has been an honor to serve this town as well as this department,” Deputy Roche said. “I have met so many good people in my career and I wish I could name every single one of them because knowing them has made me a better person and officer. When I became an Eagle Scout in 1982, my scoutmaster impressed upon me to always leave a campsite better than I found it so the next campers would be better off. I’d like to think I used this thought process in my career with Billerica Police; striving to always leave an assignment or promotion better than it was when I took over, so the next officer had an easier job of transitioning in.”

Deputy Chief Magnan has served with the department since 2002. As a patrolman, he served as a Field Training Officer and as a member of the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council Regional Response Team.

He was appointed to be a detective in 2012, and investigated crimes ranging from violent crimes, embezzlement, sexual assaults and property crimes. He also served as the department’s Firearms Licensing Officer.

Magnan was promoted to sergeant in 2014, and supervised officers on all three shifts. In April of 2022, Magnan became the supervisor of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit and became the liaison to the Billerica Disability Commission and the Yankee Doodle Homecoming Committee.

Magnan was promoted to lieutenant in 2023 and served as the Officer in Charge of the midnight shift since that time.

“I am looking forward to the new challenges that come with the position,” Magnan said. “Over the next couple of years, we anticipate a number of retirements of Senior Ranking Officials with well over a 150 years of Law Enforcement experience combined. My goal is to be a good leader and role model for the new, younger generation of police officers that we hire.”

Deputy Chief Glen Magnan and his family.

Members of the Billerica Police Department stand with retiring Deputy Jerry Roche and newly promoted Deputy Chief Glen Magnan.

Billerica Police Department Promotes Sergeant John Zarro to Lieutenant

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Town Clerk Donna McCoy swears in Lt. John Zarro to the position of lieutenant.

BILLERICA — Chief Roy Frost is pleased to share that the Billerica Police Department recently promoted Lt. John Zarro from the position of sergeant.

Lt. Zarro has been with Billerica Police since 1994, having joined after spending two years working as a campus police officer at the Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Zarro made sergeant in 2004. He has served as the department’s Records Bureau commander, as a firearms instructor, as a field training officer, and as a patrol sergeant on the overnight shift.

Lt. Zarro has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Salem State College, and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College.

Lt. Zarro grew up in Billerica and graduated from Billerica Memorial High School. He lives in Wilmington with his wife Susan. The couple have six children, and John’s oldest son, Thomas Zarro, works for Burlington Police.

The promotion took effect on Saturday, Dec. 3.

“Lt. Zarro has been a professional and extremely productive member of our department for nearly 30 years now, and I am sure he will continue to excel as a lieutenant,” said Chief Frost.

Billerica Police commanders stand with Lt. John Zarro following Zarro’s swearing in. From left are Lt. Robert Beloin, Deputy Chief Jerry Roche, Chief Roy Frost, Lt. Zarro, Lt Commander Ron Balboni, Sgt. Andy Devito and Town Manager John Curran.

Billerica Police Department Awarded $39,906 Through Byrne JAG Municipal Law Enforcement Funding Opportunity

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BILLERICA — Chief Roy Frost is pleased to share that the Billerica Police Department received $39,906 in grant funds through the Edward J. Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.

The grant funding, allocated by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Office of Grants and Research (OGR), was awarded to law enforcement agencies statewide to address public safety priorities.

The Billerica Police Department will use the funding to purchase helmets, license plate readers, and to hold active shooter training.

“This is important grant funding that will help us buy new equipment and to pursue additional training opportunities,” said Chief Frost. “We are grateful to the state for these funds and we will be putting them to good use.”

Nearly $5 million in funds was awarded to 130 police departments across the state to address specific priority areas such as unlawful drug use, domestic violence, gun violence, missing person cases, and hate crimes. The grant also funded projects related to technology upgrades, investigative tools and protective gear, school safety and security, and efforts to advance racial equity and support underserved communities.

“This program invests federal funds to make Massachusetts communities safer and stronger,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “This program allows towns and cities to identify their most pressing needs and direct funding to address those challenges. The ability of local public safety leaders to guide funds toward priority safety initiatives encourages a holistic approach to improving safety in communities with diverse needs.”