BAILED TO KILL
Another lowlife on the street … another officer shot in cold blood
Family, friends and officials yesterday remembered Cpl. Eugene Cole as a loving fatherin-law, a friendly neighbor and a fair law enforcement officer who helped anyone in need.
“He was an amazing man and a wonderful sheriff,” his daughter-in-law, Alexandra Cole, told the Herald. “He really valued his work and his family. He was very loving and supportive.”
In his spare time, she said, the 61-year-old Cole played country music and vintage Elvis songs on his guitar.
Ken Brooker, a longtime neighbor of the Somerset County sheriff’s deputy, said he would sometimes mistakenly get Cole’s mail and return it to him, and the two would exchange pleasantries.
Cole used to run a business from his home decades ago, fixing broken appliances such as TVs and radios, Brooker added.
“I’m sorry what happened to him. I’m sorry he’s gone,” said Brooker, 70. “It’s terrible.”
Cole was as a lifelong resident of the area near Norridgewock and a stabilizing presence as an officer who would often pop in to say hello to local business owners.
Multiple residents reached yesterday called him a “fair” officer who treated everyone, including suspects, with respect. Residents said Cole’s son also worked with the sheriff’s department.
Norridgewock Town Manager Richard LaBelle called Cole a “go-to” officer who was exemplary.
“I could reach out to the sheriff, and more often than not, he would be the one to stop by or call,” LaBelle said. “I’ve only had positives or great interactions with the corporal.
“It’s a sad day,” he added, “not just for Norridgewock and Somerset County, but for all of us here in the state of Maine.”
LaBelle said he and Cole had a positive working relationship over the past two years. Cole was known as a friendly officer with a sympathetic heart who would swing by youth sporting events or make sure to lend a helping hand to the homeless.
“He was great. He was kind, he was willing. If you had someone on the street, he was willing to build those relationships — long-term relationships — with people he could help, in order to make this a better community,” LaBelle said. “He really went above and beyond for anything we asked for in our community.”