John F. Trainor

John Francis "Jack" Trainor (died 1957) spent thirty-seven years in the Billerica Police Department, from about 1918 or 1919 until January 31, 1956, and was Chief of Police from 1947, first as acting chief, until his retirement. He was also elected a constable of the town every year from 1938 to 1956. On September 25, 1921, he married Susanna McBride, both of them of Billerica.

The caption of his retirement photograph gives his appointment to the department as May 1918, while the chief's report of 1956 says he became a police officer in 1919. In 1932 he was one of the regular officers under Chief Henry D. Livingston, with William H. O'Brien, Edward O'Connor and Albert McSweeney, and he became acting sergeant in July 1940. As a constable he was each year chosen by town meeting a keeper of the lock-up and a field driver, and he served the town's warrants.

When Chief William H. O'Brien retired on December 1, 1947, the selectmen wrote that Trainor, "for many years on the police force and Acting Sergeant, was unanimously selected as Chief." At a hearing on police matters that year residents agreed that two-way radio for the cruisers would be "a tremendous step forward." After passing the civil service examination he was made permanent chief in August 1948. His department was small: in 1950 it had the chief, two sergeants, four patrolmen and five intermittent patrolmen, and it made 148 arrests that year. The town ambulance was also run by the police, with help from the fire department.

Trainor retired on January 31, 1956, and was succeeded by his sergeant, Joseph L. Ryan Jr.. He died on July 22, 1957. Chief Ryan wrote in that year's report that "for thirty-seven years 'Jack' was a good and faithful servant to the town" and that "many adults holding responsible positions today have 'Jack' to thank for his guidance and advice in their youth." The 1957 town report printed an In Memoriam page with his photograph.

References

1. Marriages, 1921: John F. Trainor and Susanna McBride, both of Billerica, September 25
2. Town officers, 1932: Police Department, Henry D. Livingston, Chief; John F. Trainor among the regular officers
3. Report of the Board of Selectmen, 1947: John F. Trainor unanimously selected as Chief on O'Brien's retirement; two-way radio hearing
4. Report of the Board of Selectmen, 1949: Trainor appointed permanent Chief after civil service examination
5. Report of the Police Department, 1950: Chief John F. Trainor and the department roster
6. Report of the Police Department, 1956: Trainor retired January 31, 1956, after 37 years; Chief from 1948
7. Police report, 1956: photograph of retired Chief John F. Trainor with dates of appointment
8. Report of the Police Department, 1957: death of retired Chief John F. Trainor, July 22, 1957
9. In Memoriam, Chief John Francis Trainor (1957 town report): died July 22, 1957; served May 1918 to January 1956; photograph