5 Years Ago Today – Maine Sheriff’s Corporal Gene Cole Was Killed

It's Corporal Eugene Cole Day and the 5th anniversary of his line-of-duty death.

What Does the Day Signify?

April 25th, 2018 was a sadly memorable day in Maine, as a Sheriff's Corporal was gunned down while on routine patrol. For me, it started out with some confusion. At first, I heard that there had been a robbery at a convenience store in Norridgewock. Suddenly, the scanner traffic went crazy with police, who appeared to be searching for someone. At first, I thought perhaps the clerk had been killed. But the truth was so much worse. A member of the Somerset County Sheriff's Office had been killed in the line of duty and the suspect had then stolen his truck and taken it to the convenience store, before vanishing into the night. Cole's body was found lying next to a house where suspect John Williams had once lived. It would be four days before the police caught up to Williams and took him into custody. He's now serving a life sentence.

When Was Corporal Eugene Cole Day Declared?

The town of Norridgewock declared April 25th Corporal Eugene Cole Day in 2018, in memory of the law enforcement officer who made their community his home. Each year, they find ways to give back to the community, in honor of the man who served Somerset County for many years. A couple of things going on this year include a food drive and a scholarship program.

How Is It Being Recognized This Year?

Parents of children at the Mill Stream Elementary are encouraged to send donations of non-perishable food items to the school with their kids. Everyone else can drop of donations at the Norridgewock Town Office, through the end of the month. All of the donations will stay local to their community.

In addition, Gene's wife Sheryl announced, on her Facebook page, three recipients of the Corporal Eugene Cole Scholarship.

They are:

• Hunter Sousa of Carrabec
• Zachary White of Skowhegan
• Gabriella Manzer of Carrabec

Congratulations to the winners!

In another post, Sheryl talks about how today should be about showing kindness to others, whether it's your loved ones or perfect strangers. A great practice all the time, but especially on a day that pays homage to a man who dedicated his life to helping others. We'll never forget him.