Correction officer from Middlesex Sheriff's Office dies in crash - Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

Source: Correction officer died from self-inflicted gunshot wound prior to crash

BILLERICA (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) – A Middlesex County correction officer was found dead early Wednesday morning inside his cruiser in Billerica.

The cruiser crashed around 4:30 a.m. on Treble Cove Road. Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian's office identifies the victim as 27-year-old Edward "Teddy" Dillon III, of Lowell.

A source tells FOX 25 that Dillion died as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head before the single car crash.

"My thoughts and prayers, as well as those of the entire Middlesex Sheriff's Office, go out to Officer Dillon's family, friends and colleagues. We know the work of correction officers is difficult and dangerous, but that does nothing to ease the pain and shock when we lose one of our own," Koutoujian said in a statement. "The Middlesex Sheriff's Office will work to ensure that our officers and the Dillon family have the support they need as we grieve Teddy's passing."

Dillon was with the Middlesex Sheriff's Office since 2008. He worked the 12 a.m.–8 a.m. shift at the Middlesex House of Correction in Billerica and his job included conducting routine perimeter checks of the facility and the nearby Middlesex Sheriff's Office property.

Investigators currently do not suspect foul play in Dillon's death.

Dillion is believed to be the second person affiliated with the Middlesex Sheriff's Office to commit suicide in recent years. In 2010, Sheriff James Dipaola committed suicide amid personal scandal.