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.”

Fundraiser to Help Employee Battling Leukemia

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Erica is a Public Safety Telecommunicator with BPD who is battling Leukemia. Please consider a night out at Garrisons to help.

From Garrisons Bar & Grille:

Monday December 4th from 3:00- close, we will be doing a dine for dough for a local hero. A local Billerica dispatcher Erica Fullerton is fighting against Acute MYELOID LEUKEMIA (AML) and could use the community’s help.

RAFFLE TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A VARIETY OF PRIZES!

We are hoping for a wonderful turnout, and we would highly recommend reservations.

Billerica Police Department Welcomes Three New Officers from Police Academies

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

Officer Brendan Nawn Fraser, Officer Christopher Walker, and Officer Joseph LaMarca are sworn in by Billerica Town Clerk Donna McCoy.

Officer Joseph LaMarca

Officer LaMarca is a lifelong resident of Billerica who graduated from Billerica Memorial High School, where he was captain of the varsity hockey team during his senior year. He graduated from the Fitchburg Police Academy and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology from Fitchburg State University. He is currently working toward a Masters Degree in Criminology as well.

“Having always known that I wanted to be a police officer, I decided to attend Fitchburg State University for their police program. My time at Fitchburg State in the police program made me realize how passionate I am for this profession.
Being able to be a police officer in the town of Billerica is an honor,” said Officer LaMarca. “I have always loved to volunteer at community services events throughout my life. I am excited to get to know the community and for them to know me.”

Officer Brendan Nawn Fraser

Officer Fraser grew up in Melrose with two sisters and a single mother, and graduated with an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from North Shore Community College. Prior to graduating from the Lowell Police Academy, Officer Fraser worked as a public safety officer at Massachusetts General Hospital.

“I attended different schools growing up and learned the importance and impact that police officers can have on children and young adults,” said Officer Fraser. “I have lived in town with my wife for just under three years, and my wife is an educator who also works in Billerica. I have had a lifelong dream to become a police officer and pushed through the obstacles to get here. I am excited to begin my career as a Police Officer serving the community of Billerica and its residents.”

Officer Christopher Walker

Officer Walker is a lifelong resident of Billerica who graduated from Shawsheen Valley Technical High School in 2014. He earned an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Middlesex Community College, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from UMass Lowell. Prior to joining graduating from the Lowell Police Academy, Officer Walker worked for his family’s HVAC business, Walker Mechanical.

“Being able to join this department as a police officer was a lifelong goal of mine and I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve the town. You will not find a town with better residents and hardworking people,” said Officer Walker. “Being a police officer is a profession to be proud of and I think being able to work in the town you grew up in makes it that much more special. It’s also a job that is unique and different everyday which is what I am looking for in a career.”

All three officers have now started a five-month Field Training program, in which they will shadow a more experienced officer and undergo scenario-based training and testing.

“At a time when recruiting has been very difficult, we were lucky to find three extremely well qualified, passionate candidates to join the Billerica Police Department,” said Chief Roy Frost. “I hope members of the community will join me in welcoming Officer Walker, Officer Fraser, and Officer LaMarca to the department and a career of helping others.”

From left, Chief Roy Frost, Officer Brendan Nawn Fraser, Officer Christopher Walker, Officer Joseph LaMarca, Lt. Greg Katz, Town Manager John Curran, and Deputy Chief Jerry Roche stand together at the Billerica Police Memorial.

Building and Police Cruiser Struck by Motorists

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Billerica – On Monday, October 2, 2023, at approximately 7:20 PM, Billerica Police responded to a report of a vehicle into a building located at #309 Boston Road, Billerica. The building is the former site of Mackenzie Auto and Sound and is currently unoccupied. On arrival, Officers observed a 2007 Chevrolet CK 2500 flatbed style truck had driven through the north side of the building facade. The operator and sole occupant of the vehicle was subsequently located sitting on the ground in front of the building after having exited the vehicle on his own. The 19-year-old male operator is facing motor vehicle charges including speeding, failure to stop for a red light and minor possession of alcohol. He was subsequently transported to Lahey Hospital in Burlington with non-life-threatening injuries.

While officers were in the process of investigating the above accident, including supporting Fire Department personnel temporarily supporting and barricading the building structure of 309 Boston Road, a 74-year-old Billerica man, identified as Peter Joy, drove a 2003 Dodge Dakota pickup truck into the rear of a stationary and fully marked Billerica Police vehicle. At the time of the crash, the police vehicle had its overhead emergency blue lights and read flashers activated and was occupied by a Police Officer. The Officer was not seriously injured in the collision, however the police vehicle sustained extensive damage as did the Dodge Dakota. A subsequent investigation into the crash resulted in the arrest of Peter Joy for Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol and Marked Lanes violations. Mr. Joy will be arraigned in Lowell District Court on October 3, 2023.

All of the above criminal allegations are based on probable cause and the individual(s) are considered innocent until proven guilty in court.

A joint effort of the Billerica, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough and Westford Police Departments

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TEWKSBURY — Seven local police departments — the Billerica, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough and Westford Police — are joining forces to host a cornhole tournament to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 21, from 12-4 p.m.

WHERE: Wamesit Lanes, 434 Main St., Tewksbury

WHAT: Seven police departments are hosting a 64-team, single-elimination cornhole tournament where every penny raised will go directly to helping Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island and their efforts toward granting transformative wishes to local children battling critical illnesses.

“We are proud to join forces to support Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island — a great organization that grants wishes for critically ill children,” said Billerica Police Chief Roy Frost. “We invite anyone from our communities to join us at Wamesit Lanes for a fun and exciting day of fun that will benefit a truly amazing cause.”

Registration is $50 for individuals and $100 for teams, with prizes awaiting the top-performing teams in the competition. Participants must be 18 or older.

To register, visit: https://e.givesmart.com/events/yJk/.

About Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a non-profit group that seeks to fulfill the wishes of children with critical illnesses between the ages of 2 1/2 and 18, due to the belief that a wish can be that spark that helps these children believe that anything is possible and gives them the strength to fight harder against their illnesses.

To learn more, visit: https://wish.org/massri.

Billerica Police Department Escorts 100-year-old Retired Officer and World War II Veteran to Honor Flight

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Capt HolmesBILLERICA — Chief Roy Frost is proud to report that the Billerica Police Department escorted a 100-year-old retired Billerica Police Officer and World War II veteran to an honor flight to Washington, DC.

Retired Billerica Police Capt. Paul Holmes, who turned 100 in July, served with the Navy during World War II, from 1943 until the end of the war. He returned home to serve with Billerica Police from 1949 until 1986.

Holmes was invited by Honor Flight New England to participate in a no-cost honor flight with other veterans from Boston Logan Airport to Washington, DC. Billerica Police provided the captain with an escort from his home in Tewksbury to the airport, and back again. Billerica Veteran Agent Donnie Jarvis also provided assistance and went with Holmes on the flight at his own cost.

Retired Lt. Commander Troy Opland and Officer Mike Henckler picked up and dropped off Capt. Holmes before and after his flights. Tewksbury Police also provided an escort through Tewksbury in the early morning hours of Sunday as Capt. Holmes was driven to the airport.

Holmes and other veterans were greeted at both Logan and Dulles airports, and once in Washington they were able to tour the nation’s monuments, courtesy of Honor Flight New England, a non-profit agency that takes aging veterans to tour the monuments free of charge.

During his years working in Billerica, Capt. Holmes was known for always walking to work and treating people with respect.

“There wasn’t one kid in the neighborhood who didn’t absolutely admire him,” said Billerica Police Head Clerk Elizabeth Patriquin. “He was wicked tall, and wicked nice to all the kids in the neighborhood. He had a lot of respect for the Town and the people and they gave that respect back to him.”

Retired Lt. Commander Opland said Holmes used to visit the police station after he retired and would converse with him and other officers for hours.

“He’s just a really thankful, thoughtful person,” Opland said.

Retired Lt. Commander Opland said he was proud to assist with the amazing flights offered by Honor Flight New England.

“I’ve never seen him so happy,” Opland said of Holmes. “There’s a tear in his eye in one of the pictures. It was just really cool to see that. He’s just an awesome man.”

“Retired Billerica Police Capt. Paul Holmes spent most of his life serving his country and his community, and we were proud to escort him to this well-deserved honor flight provided by a great organization,” said Chief Frost. “The Billerica Police Department has the utmost respect for all veterans, and we wish Capt. Holmes all the best.”

About Honor Flight New England:

Honor Flight New England joined with the national organization Honor Flight Network in the Spring of 2009, and is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring America’s most senior veterans. Through generous donations, Honor Flight New England transports heroes to Washington, D.C., to visit and reflect at their memorials at no cost to the veteran. Top priority is currently given to most senior Veterans, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill. Beginning in the Spring of 2022, Honor Flight New England also began transporting Vietnam Veterans. To learn more about Honor Flight New England, visit: https://honorflightnewengland.org/.