Wilmington Police & Town Leadership Recognize Sean Collier On What Would Have Been His 40th Birthday

Below is a press release from John Guilfoil Public Relations:

WILMINGTON — The Wilmington Police Department, town leaders, and family gathered at Rotary Park to recognize Sean Collier Day in the Town of Wilmington this past Friday, January 2, 2026, on what would have been Collier’s 40th birthday.

Officer Collier was in his MIT Police Department cruiser on the night of April 18, 2013, when he was killed by the perpetrators of the Boston Marathon bombing.

Officer Collier, a Wilmington native and 2004 graduate of Wilmington High School, had spent just over a year with MIT Police, earning a reputation for building relationships with students and members of the campus community.

In 2021, the Wilmington Select Board voted unanimously to designate Jan. 3, Officer Collier’s birthday, as Sean Collier Day in town.

Wilmington Police held a recognition ceremony on Friday at Rotary Park, where a tree now grows in Collier’s honor, just above a memorial plaque. Town Manager Eric Slagle and Veterans Agent Louis Cimaglia both spoke, as did Chief Brian Pupa and former Select Board member Greg Bendel. Several Select Board members were in attendance.

Deputy Chief Scott Sencabaugh and MIT Police Chief John DiFava then helped Officer Collier’s stepfather, Joe Rogers, lay a wreath at the tree.

“It is an honor to stand with the members of the Wilmington Police Department, MIT Police, the Town of Wilmington administration and Select Board along with the Collier Family to celebrate Sean Collier Day,” said Chief Pupa. “It is important to remember and honor Sean, who was a Wilmington resident and 2004 graduate of Wilmington High School for his commitment to this community and the law enforcement community.”

“Heroes never die, and their stories will never be forgotten, as long as we continue to say their names and tell their stories,” Cimaglia said.

Wilmington Police Chief Brian Pupa speaks at a service recognizing Jan. 3 as Sean Collier Day in the Town of Wilmington. (Photo Courtesy Wilmington Police Department)

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