RESIDENTS OF MAINE TOWN HUNKER DOWN
After a beloved local cop was slain, people in Norridgewock, Maine, expressed shock and apprehension after their small town became the center of an intense manhunt for the killer.
“It’s very surprising that something like that could happen around here,” said Woody Phinney, owner of All Seasons Storage in Norridgewock. “We are still on lockdown. I don’t want to say they’re not letting us out, but they want everyone to stay home and keep their doors locked.”
Authorities yesterday said there would be a heavy police
presence in the town of about 3,500 people as cops continued looking for murder suspect John Williams, 29, of Madison, Maine.
Williams is suspected in the fatal shooting of Somerset County Sheriff Cpl. Eugene Cole, 61. Cole’s body was found about 7:15 a.m. yesterday near major thoroughfare Route 2. Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster urged residents late yesterday afternoon to stay vigilant and call police with tips.
Lancaster did not share details of how investigators believe Williams killed Cole.
“There’s been a large contingency of officers from different law enforcement disciplines working leads. If anyone knows the whereabouts of John Williams please give us a call. We are asking for citizens’ assistance. His photo is being circulated to the media and on social media. Again, as of this briefing do not approach Williams, he remains armed and extremely dangerous,” Lancaster said. “The community needs to be aware of their surroundings until Williams is apprehended. Do not hesitate to call 911 to report anything suspicious. We’ll be working tirelessly until Williams can be safely apprehended.”
Phinney said he had invited Cole to stop by his business anytime to “let the local bad boys know that cops can be in the area.”
Residents described how Route 2 remained blocked off and police went door-to-door searching for Williams. There were also blocks where cops were stopping vehicles, they said.
Evelyn Ireland, who works for Central Maine Motorcycle School, said she went to high school with Cole and because her husband is a firefighter, they would often run into Cole onand off-duty.
“He was just a down-to-earth guy. He would have done anything for anybody,” she said. “I just feel awful.”
Rex Obert, 57, said he’s known Cole casually all his life, including before he was an officer.
“Back when I was a kid, growing up, he used to be a TV repairman — straight out of his house,” Obert said. “He was awfully friendly. If you’d get in trouble, he’d be real good about it. He’d talk to you and explain what you did. He’s been a well-respected officer.”
Although a lot of the town was on edge, Obert said he would remain calm and be ready to protect himself.
“I have plenty of guns, and I have a loaded pistol sitting right by my chair when I’m home.”