Roll of Honor
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-ME-E905EA5F- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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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 United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Corporal Eugene Philip Cole is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In ME, 43 of 102 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.2% of this state's fallen. That is 12 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Somerset County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Eugene Philip Cole's cause is highlighted.
How Eugene Philip Cole Compares
Offender Outcome
Life sentence
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Eugene Philip Cole is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Eugene Philip Cole was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Somerset County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
