Billerica Cop Killed While Working At Road Construction Site

BILLERICA, MA — A 49-year-old Billerica Police Department officer was killed Friday afternoon while working at a road construction site on Boston Road, according to the Middlesex District Attorney's Office.

Sergeant Ian Taylor was struck by an excavator that he was backing up before later dying at the hospital, officials said. His death is being investigated by the DA, Billerica Police and Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney's Office, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Taylor was a 21-year law enforcement veteran who began his career as a patrol officer for the Lawrence Police Department in 2003. He went on to serve the Wilmington Police Department before joining the Billerica Police Department in 2011, which then promoted him to the Criminal Bureau where he worked as a detective until the day of his death.

"This is also the date that lan was promoted to Sergeant, a title that was very much earned," police said Monday.

In addition to his duties as a detective, Taylor was part of the Billerica Substance Awareness and Prevention Committee to help those struggling with substance abuse, according to the department.

"The impact that lan had on not only our department, but this community, and every life he touched, is immeasurable," Billerica police said. "As a person, lan was infectious. His ability to listen, good will, wit, and perpetually up to something grin, shed light on each person whose paths crossed his. When he wasn't giving advice or helping a colleague, you could find lan wherever he hid the peppermint patties."

They added: "There are no words that would do justice to the man we had the honor to know. Simply put, if you knew him, you were lucky."

Taylor was also a husband and a father of two. The community is rallying to help his surviving family members through a fundraiser set up by The Greg Hill Foundation.