MAINE, Maine — It’s was a day of reflection and remembrance for the state of Maine and especially for the Norridgewock community as they honored the legacy and life of a fallen hero: Corporal. Eugene Cole.
Somerset County Sheriff's Office Deputy Chief Michael Mitchell says he remembers Cpl. Cole was a dedicated and hard-working person who served honorably.
Mitchell said the department will never fully recover from his loss.
"Particularly when officers find themselves in dangerous situations, I mean remembering what the sacrifice Gene made for the people in Somerset County and the whole state of Maine really is something we will never forget," said Mitchell.
Mitchell adds he was a section supervisor and was very well known in the town of Norridgewock and throughout Somerset County.
"He was well-liked and respected by all law enforcement officers and all agencies," said Mitchell.
Mitchell said he wants others to never forget who he was, how he treated people, and who he was as a person.
"As you know, this day marks three years that Gene was taken from us. Spend this day doing good for yourselves and for others," Sheryl Cole, the wife of Cpl. Cole took to Facebook to share a heartfelt message in honor of her late husband. "Reach out to someone who is silently suffering. Whatever you do today, do it with kindness. Scatter joy, comfort, and peace everywhere you go. Corporal Cole did this every day. Let this be the one day we all strive to do the same."
Sunday, the Somerset County Sheriff's Office shared a tribute to its Facebook page Cpl. Cole's colleague, Sheriff Lancaster said: "Sunday, April 25, 2021, marks the third anniversary of the death of Corporal Eugene Cole. We will always remember Corporal Cole's exceptional service to our Agency and to the residents of Somerset County."
This year's Corporal Eugene Cole Memorial 5K & Half marathon will be held on Sunday, August 29th. 100% of proceeds of this event will be given to the Maine Community Foundation towards a scholarship fund in Eugene Cole's name. Aaron Gordon of Norridgewock Maine was the first recipient of this scholarship. The Corporal Cole Memorial Run will be an in-person or a virtual event this year. If you want to participate click here for more details.
Three years ago, on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, 61-year-old Cpl. Eugene Cole was found shot to death. The tragic morning began to unfold around 7:30 a.m. when Norridgewock resident, Kimberly Sirois, heard helicopters and stepped out into her yard on Mercer Road. She then discovered Cole’s body with a gunshot wound to his head. Amid the community’s shock, a national manhunt kicked in for the suspect, 29-year-old John Williams.
John Williams was captured after a 4-day manhunt. Now, Williams is serving life in prison for the crime.