Billerica police officer hit and killed by excavator while working construction site

BILLERICA - A Billerica police officer was killed in a construction accident on Boston Road Friday afternoon. Sgt. Ian Taylor was struck by an excavator while he was working a detail.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said Taylor was helping a tractor trailer get around the construction site when he was hit by the excavator.

He was taken to Lahey Hospital but did not survive.

Boston Road has been closed to traffic in both directions. A crew from N. Granese & Sons based in Salem was putting down a water line when the incident happened.

Taylor, 49, is a 21-year law enforcement veteran and has worked for the Billerica Police Department since 2011.

Billerica Police Chief Roy Frost said Taylor loved helping the people in his community.

"Sgt. Taylor made an impact while he was here," Chief Frost said. "His life had meaning. He's helped so many people. He has saved so many people."

Frost said Taylor was assigned to the substance abuse prevention committee and helped people who are suffering from opiate addiction.

The incident will be investigated by the Middlesex District Attorney's Office, Billerica police and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the District Attorney's Office. An investigation will also be conducted by OSHA.