Billerica officer struck and killed by excavator at construction site

Local News

Detective Sergeant Ian Taylor, 49, died on Friday. A fundraiser for his family raised more than $23,000.

A Billerica police officer was killed Friday while serving at a construction site, sparking an outpouring of support for the department over the weekend.

Detective Sergeant Ian Taylor, 49, was struck by a backing excavator at the Boston Road construction site, Middlesex County Prosecutor Marian Ryan and Billerica Police Chief Roy said Friday Frost.

Ryan said at a news conference Friday that Taylor was steering a tractor-trailer around the site when the excavator struck him.

Taylor was transported to Lahey Hospital in Burlington where he died, officials said. The incident is under investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the DA and local and state law enforcement said they will also investigate.

Frost said Friday that Taylor is a 21-year law enforcement veteran who joined the Billerica department in 2011. He spent time working with a federal drug task force and continued that work at Billerica as a core member of the Substance Awareness and Prevention team.

Frost said Taylor leaves behind a loving family including his wife and children. The Greg Hill Foundation launched a fundraiser to support the Taylors, far surpassing the $5,000 goal. As of Sunday evening, community members had raised more than $23,000.

“Every officer that works with Ian loves him, loves him like a brother,” Frost said. “Sergeant Taylor made an impact while he was here. His life had meaning. He has helped so many people. He saved so many people.

Police organized a motorcade to transport Taylor from the medical examiner’s office in Boston on Sunday afternoon. The procession traveled down 93 North before officers drove through Billerica and headed to a funeral home in Methuen.

Billerica police held a vigil in Taylor’s honor Sunday evening. The public could celebrate Taylor’s life in the courtyard of Billerica Memorial High School starting at 6 p.m.