Maine Sheriff’s Deputy Eugene Cole Remembered As ‘A Great Cop'; Nationwide Manhunt Underway For Killer
Eugene Cole, a veteran officer with the Somerset County Sheriff's Department was remembered as a "great cop" by residents of Norridgewock today, as a nationwide manhunt lead by the FBI is underway for his suspected killer.
Authorities say that suspect John Williams, 29, shot and killed the deputy between 1 and 2am this morning, before stealing his fully-marked patrol car and robbing a convenience store in Norridgewock. Police say that Williams abandoned the vehicle, and is now at large, considered armed and extremely dangerous.
Corporal Cole served the Somerset County Sheriff's department for thirteen years, and leaves behind a son. The county's website indicates that he was a corporal assigned to the patrol division of the sheriff's office. He was remembered across social media today by the community that he served, and by public officials from around the state.
We're also learning about the suspect in Maine's first on-duty police shooting in almost 30 years. John Williams attended an area high school until 2007.
The manhunt is still underway for Williams, and is being coordinated with the FBI, Maine State Police, Maine Warden's Service, and other authorities. The actual investigation will be conducted by the Maine Major Crimes Unit with the State Police.