Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Thomas Strunk was killed when he was dragged by a drunk driver while he attempted to turn off the ignition of the vehicle. He was off-duty and driving with his family in Billerica when he observed a vehicle behind him being driven in an erratic fashion. Suspecting the driver was drunk, Patrolman Strunk exited his vehicle when traffic stopped and identified himself as a police officer. He asked the driver to turn the vehicle off, and when he refused, Patrolman Strunk reached inside to turn it off. As he did so the operator sped off, dragging Patrolman Strunk approximately one-quarter mile before slamming into a utility pole on Allen Road approximately four-tenths of a mile north of Route 3A. The suspect fled the scene but was arrested a short time later. He was sentenced to 14 years but served only seven years. Patrolman Strunk was a U.S. Army veteran. He had served with the Billerica Police Department for two years and was posthumously awarded the George L. Hanna Award for Bravery.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three sons, one of whom also went on to serve with the Billerica Police Department.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-48AC5143- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Strunk gave the Billerica Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Billerica community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Thomas Edward Strunk served in the Army (1970â1972) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Thomas Edward Strunk is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MA, 199 of 469 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.4% of this state's fallen. That is 11.8 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Billerica Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Edward Strunk's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Edward Strunk Compares
Offender Outcome
Served 7 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Edward Strunk is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Edward Strunk was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Billerica Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
