BCAT News

A retired Burlington Police Detective passed away surrounded by family this past weekend.

Retired Lt. Detective Alfred Sciuto, a legend in the law enforcement field, passed away at his home, where his children wanted him to be, on Saturday evening, October 16, 2021, his obituary from Sullivan Funeral Home says. The beloved husband of the late Joanne (Watkins), he was 81 years old.

Al was born, raised, and educated in Lawrence and was one of 3 children born to the late Sebastiano & Agnes Sciuto.

Al was a graduate of Middlesex Community College and Northeastern University. He would meet the love of his life Joanne Watkins while living in Lawrence. They married on April 30, 1960.

Al’s first job was working as a Radar Technician for Raytheon in Andover for 10 years. Al’s dream had always been to work in Law Enforcement.

“In 1970 he visited the small community of Burlington and instantly knew that this was where he wanted to work and raise his family,” his obituary reads. “At the age of 30 Al became a member of the Burlington Police Department. Al’s life was all about his job. He was the voice and the face of the Burlington Police Department for decades. He was an inspiration to the veteran officers and a role model for newer officers.”

Al was one of the first K-9 Officers and ended his career as a Lt. Detective running the Detective Division.

“Al was an asset to the community of Burlington,” his obituary reads. “Throughout his career, and his life, Al did a lot of community outreach.”

He was involved in Rape & Crime Prevention, trained police in various courses at the New England Police Training Council and was involved in the Dare Program. He was nominated for and won Police Officer of the year and received a citation from then Governor Paul Cellucci.

“Al’s reach extended well beyond Bulington,” his obituary says. “He was well known and respected among numerous police departments across the state and was an expert in Crime Prevention.”

He was also a man dedicated to his family.

“Al had a wonderful marriage to his wife Joanne,” his obituary reads. “They were devoted to each other. If you saw one you saw the other – they were always together holding hands. They enjoyed traveling and took trips to Hawaii, Aruba, and South Carolina.They especially loved their yearly stays at the Trapp Family Lodge in Vermont. Al loved to indulge Joanne and serve her breakfast in bed during his retirement years!

“Al was a loving, generous, caring, and patient dad who would do anything for his children. He was a very involved grandfather and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He taught them golfing, bowling and loved to spoil them! Last year, during the pandemic, his family celebrated his 80th birthday with a drive by at his home. It was a day that Al loved with many of his friends, former co-workers and neighbors stopping by to wish him a happy birthday!”

Read his full obituary here.