Patrolman Willis John Cole New Cumberland Police Department Pennsylvania Friday, August 19, 1994  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

Officer Cole, I began my career in law enforcement in January 1995. I started at the police academy 5 short months after you were killed. I can remember all of the instructors speaking so highly of you and relaying your story to our class. I remember being taught by the instructors who used what happened to you to remind our class what a dangerous profession we had chosen.
I was on the Officer Down page to write a co-worker who was killed last year when I saw your name. I thought I'd let you know that you are not forgotten. I was down at Police Week this year for my friend and I thought of you. I guess I did so because your death made such an impression on me at the time, as I was entering the profession so soon after you left it.
I never had the pleasure of meeting you but I know you are greatly missed. May god bless you and keep watching over your family and friends.

Joe Jones
Northern York County Regional Police
2009-10-25

Officer Cole,

God Bless you and your family. I know you greeted my son this past September when he was taken in the line of duty. Please continue to watch over your family and keep them all safe. Rest in peace knowing your a hero to all those who knew you and those of us who didn't.
With deepest respect,
Kim Weigand
Mom of Sgt. Michael C. Weigand
E.O.W. 9/14/2008

Kim Weigand

2009-03-19

WE LOVE AND MISS OUR SON VERY MUCH. WILL was a precious gift to our family. We think and pray for him every day of our lives. Our hearts go out to other families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty. Our son will always live within our hearts, minds and prayers, along with our memories. WE LOVE YOU WILL.

REMEMBERING YOU WITH ALL OUR LOVE, MOM & DAD

Parents of Willis Cole

2008-10-24

RIP...you will never be forgotten by those that love you and knew you.

Anonymous

2008-10-08

Aug. 19th...a day many will never forget. Sometimes you get the bad guys and
sometimes they get you. Wish this would have ended differently.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

2008-08-19

On the 14th anniversary of Patrolman Cole’s death, we honored his service during roll call by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job.

Patrolman Cole may be gone, but is not forgotten.

Sergeant Jeffrey W. Timmons
First Responder Unit
United States Capitol Police
Washington, D.C.

Anonymous

2008-08-19

Will- Almost 14 years have passed since that horrible day in August. Your memory lives on though and you are thought of often and missed greatly. I was taking my oldest daughter to a game just the other day and I told her all about you and about what a great person you were.
I am often comforted by memories of our time in the Academy, all of the times we talked of hunting and fishing when we could get a few moments away from the training.
I am honored to have known you and think about you often. Scott

Sgt. Scott Shaeffer, Retired
Derry Township Police Department
2008-05-21

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
2008-01-15

Always remembered.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
2007-08-19

Patrolman Cole,
Toady is the thirteenth anniversary of your EOW. You chose a career that continuously put you in harm's way, yet you served with a kind of dedication and bravery that is so rarely seen. How does one begin to thank you for that?
My thoughts are with your family who were also called to make this sacrifice. May the legacy you left behind in your son will continue to shine brightly.

Pennsylvania citizen

2007-08-18

I remember hearing about this incident when I was in high school and just happened to find this sight dedicated to fallen officers. I knew people who knew the two killers, apparently they were lifetime criminals. To Officer Cole, rest in peace brother...To his family, God Bless...He is a true hero and a local legend here in Central PA...

Adam Connolly
Dauphin County
2007-05-29

You will always be remembered as a hero and everyone knows that a hero never dies!

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
2006-09-29

Will;

I remember the day I returned home from vacation and just happened to flip on the news....there was your picture....there was your story...I got that low sick feeling in my stomach. My face must have said it all because my wife asked me what was wrong as I sat there, mouth open..stunned silence.

I attended your funeral. I am sure I was just another anonymous face to your lovely wife...she was so sad. My knees buckled when I saw a picture of your son. In the funeral procession I could not see the beginning and I could not see the end of the line of police cars, family and friends. You are well respected and loved my friend.

It seems a lifetime ago, but I have always remebered our time together as friends sitting at lunch at HACC. I remember seeing you in your uniform one day, you were so proud. I of course being only 18 wanted to be where you were at. I did become a police officer in late 1985, just what we all wanted. You had the greatest laugh. I remember sitting at the cafeteria having lunch with you and Tom and Drew. We used to joke around alot.

I remember actually thinking I saw you one day at a roadway repair in New Cumberland. I saw a PD car behind a backhoe that was doing a night repair. I had my family in the car as we were leaving Pierre's for dinner. I could have sworn it was you sitting there but of course, we in our busy lives don't think of precious life and friends and just stopping quick to say hello. I was too worried about getting our infant daughter home to bed in Lancaster. Now I wish I would have stopped.

A few days after your funeral I wrote this poem. I am not a writer to say the least but as I thought of you these words came to mind;

Father;

Another badge fell to the ground today.
Another star shines in heaven I pray.

Another Police Officer taken from this world we all know.
Another man risen so heaven could grow.

Another hero is born I see.
Another man's sacrafice a lesson to me.

Another brother paves the way.
Another back-up I call on my day.

Another family with shattered dreams.
Another widow sits crying in streams.

Another time I ponder life.
Another time I kiss my wife.

Another wish my father above...
Please wrap this man in your heavenly love.

Please watch over all of us my friend....

Jeff Jones

Sgt. Jeff Jones
Manheim Township Police Lancaster County
2006-07-17

A memorial gas lamp was placed at the scene in the time that passed after Officer Cole's death. The lamp was intended to be a memorial to Officer
Cole and a reminder to all. Unfortunately in recent years that lamp was allowed to go dark.

On August 19, 2005, eleven years after the death of Officer Willis J. Cole, a memorial gas lamp was re-ignited by Officer Cole's father in honor of this fallen son, husband, father and brother officer.

Let us never forget.

Officer
Cumberland County
2005-08-20

On this anniversary, May we never forget this brave Warrior's sacrifice. May God Grant your Family, Fellow Officers, and Friends the Serenity to accept the things they cannot change, the Courage to change the things they can, and the Wisdom to know the difference. Rest in Peace Blue Angel

Officer Debra McFall Ross
EAst Buffalo Twp Police Dept, Lewisburg, Pa.
2004-08-18

Will-
I think of you, so often. I can still remember your smile, your laugh. I remember the times that we backed each other up on calls, met with the 0130 coffee gang, hoisted a few at Coakley's and late night choir practice in the park. We were so incredibly young, so naive and hopeful of the future.
I smile when I remember Woody bringing you home with him for dinner...and how you were always able to put away amazing amounts of food. We used to tease you that you had hollow legs because you never gained a pound.
But, most importantly, I remember the night you saved my life. I wish I could have told you how much it means to me. I can still see your face when you pulled that assailant off of me. I can still hear you teasing me after the call, saying you don't know how I get myself into those messes.
Well, Will...I'm still getting myself into messes. How I wish you were still here to tease me about it.
I have a son, now. It makes your loss that much more painful when I think how it had to be for your wife. I still keep your wife and son in my prayers. I never had the chance to get to know her well, Will...but I can tell you that you would have been so proud of her. I've seen her a few times and I did get the chance to share with her that night that you saved me. You chose very wisely because I could see that she will always love you and will always keep you alive for your son.
It's so damn unfair that you aren't here, too. I won't forget you, Will. I promise you that. And I also promise you that I won't stop fighting for your killer to get his sentence. I write everytime I hear that he is trying to appeal.
You are still very much loved and very missed. I can see that from what is posted on these pages.
I miss you. Rest in peace, my brother.

Wendy Mannion
14-4

As police week is approching, we remember Will, our son-in-law more & think of his short life. Only 30 years old. He only had 1 year with his son, Derek. His killer is still submitting appeals. I wish Will had as many
appeals.

Will, we miss you. Your son Derek is doing so well. He's great.

Jan Brinser