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Incident
Corporal Eugene Cole was shot and killed along Route 2, in Norridgewock, by a suspect who was out on bond for a previous weapons charge.
The suspect shot Corporal Cole and then stole his fully-marked patrol car between 1:00 am and 2:00 am. He drove the cruiser to a nearby store and robbed it before fleeing again. He then abandoned the patrol car nearby and fled on foot. After a four-day manhunt in the area, the 29-year-old suspect was apprehended.
In 2019, the suspect was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Corporal Cole was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Somerset County Sheriff's Office for 13 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife of 41 years and four sons, one of whom also serves with the Somerset County Sheriff's Office.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Eugene is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Corporal Cole gave the Somerset County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Madison community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Eugene Philip Cole served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Somerset County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Eugene is one of 37 officers killed feloniously in ME, 43% of the 86 remembered there.
Eugene is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Eugene is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2018, 1 officer in ME was killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 33 years on record. The heaviest was 1873, with 2.
In 2018, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2018, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Eugene was 61. Of the 32 killed feloniously in ME whose age is recorded, half were between 34.3 and 49.5; the middle age was 42. Eugene had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Eugene was 61. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Eugene had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Eugene was 61. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Eugene had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 10.8% of these deaths in ME; January holds the most, 10.8%. Wednesdays: 8.1%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Somerset County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 43% of all 86 deaths in ME, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 5.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Somerset County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Eugene among them.
Where
Military Service
Eugene Philip Cole served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Eugene Philip Cole’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Somerset County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
