DANVILLE: Officer Thomas W. (Tommy) Cottrell Jr., age 34, passed away on January 17, 2016 in Danville, Ohio in the line of duty.
He was born August 22, 1981 in Newark, Ohio. He was a 2000 graduate of Newark High School and received his degree in Criminal Justice from COTC in 2002.After graduation Tommy began his career in law enforcement.
Tommy is survived by life partner Tanya Rayburn; loving mother Melissa Osborn of Ohio; daughters Courtney, Brooklyn and Alycia Cottrell; step sons Cody and Trevor Elliott; sister Nicole (Donald) Kohlmier of GA and nephew Luca; maternal grandmother Linda Thwaits as well as many friends.
Tommy was preceded in death by his grandfather Thomas Thwaits.
Funeral services for Officer Cottrell will be held on the campus of OSU/COTC - Adena Hall, Newark 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 23, 2016. Interment will follow at Wilson Cemetery.
The family will receive friends and acquaintances 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Friday at Brucker-Kishler Funeral Home, 985 N 21st Street, Newark.In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in the name of Tom Cottrell Jr. for a COTC Scholarship Fund for those involved in law enforcement is being established C/O First Knox Bank.Online condolences to the family may be sent via www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com
*************
Police Officer Thomas Cottrell was shot and killed from ambush behind the village's municipal building shortly after 11:00 pm.
At approximately 11:20 pm dispatchers received a call from a female subject stating that police officers in Danville were in danger. She stated her boyfriend was armed and intended to kill a police officer.
Dispatchers were unable to reach Officer Cottrell on the radio. A massive search was initiated involving officers from other nearby agencies. His body was found behind the village's municipal building approximately 30 minutes later. His service weapon and patrol card had been stolen.
Officers took the suspect into custody at approximately 1:30 am after spotting him running from a home in the village.
Please contact the following agency to send condolences or to obtain funeral arrangements:
Police Chief Daniel Weckesser
Danville Police Department
512 Market Street
Danville, OH 43014
Phone: (740) 599-6888
Source: Officer Down Memorial Page
"When a police officer is killed, it's not an agency that loses an officer, it's an entire nation." -Chris Cosgriff, ODMP Founder
*******
NEWARK - It had been a while since Ed Giles had talked to Tom Cottrell Jr.
But when you've been friends since middle school, it's easy to pick things up, no matter where you left off.
That's what happened a few weeks ago when Cottrell messaged Giles on his birthday. The two about getting a beer to catch up.
So Giles didn't believe it when his brother-in-law contacted him to tell him Cottrell had been killed.
"We've known each other for years," Giles said. "It just didn't seem possible."
An officer with the Danville Police Department, Cottrell was shot Sunday. His body was discovered behind the Danville municipal building, and a suspect, Herschel Ray Jones, is in custody.
Officer Thomas Cottrell was killed by a 32-year-old man Sunday night. WKYC
Knox County Prosecutor Chip McConville said he expects a murder charge will be filed against Jones.
Although he lived in Danville at the time of his death, Cottrell was known by many in Licking County, where he grew up and went to school.
Bobbi Broughton first met Cottrell when he was a fifth-grader at Cherry Valley Elementary School. She was in high school and was helping in his creative writing class.
Years later, she and Cottrell reconnected, and she was thrilled to find out he hadn't lost his positive qualities.
"He was kind, gentle and goofy," she wrote in an email. "He loved his friends and family fiercely."
Giles met Cottrell in middle school, and they both sang in the Newark High School choir under the direction of Kim and Mike Wigglesworth.
"What I remember is, he just had a huge smile," Mike Wigglesworth said.
Giles graduated from Newark High School in 1999, and Cottrell graduated in 2000. Both men attended the police academy at Central Ohio Technical College.
Giles decided to go in a different direction, but Cottrell had found his calling in law enforcement.
A Danville police officer was killed by a 32-year-old man Sunday night. WKYC
"He was pretty serious about it," Giles said. "He knew what he wanted to do."
Nick Garver, of Madison Township, met Cottrell when he was working as a security officer at Longaberger.
"He was always a happy guy who would joke around and he genuinely cared about people," Garver wrote in a Facebook message. "That drove him to law enforcement."
Garver worked with him at the Thornville Police Department before Cottrell went on to work at the Shawnee Police Department.
Cottrell also took on an unpaid, auxiliary position at the Frazeyzburg Police Department, where Garver was working as the police chief.
"That further shows his character, being willing to work for free," Garver wrote.
He later took a job with the Utica Police Department. On Monday, the department posted a memorial on its Facebook page.
"I will always remember his huge smile and his laugh," the post said. "He said in his resignation, 'Utica has been a crucial piece of my future so I have no regrets about my time here. I hope for the continued success of all officers and also their safety. I will always be there for them when the call to service is needed. I refuse to let my brothers in blue down ...' "
Cottrell worked for the Utica department until 2014.
"He cared for his comrades, this community and he always enjoyed being a police officer," the post said. "God bless you Officer Cottrell, may you walk the streets with Saint Michael and patrol your new jurisdiction in Heaven."
Cottrell's body was discovered about 20 minutes after Jones' ex-girlfriend called dispatchers Sunday night to report that officers in Danville were in danger, Knox County Sheriff David Shaffer said.
She reportedly told dispatchers Jones was looking to kill police officers.
Shaffer said dispatchers tried to make contact with Cottrell after receiving the tip around 11:20 p.m., but they couldn’t reach him.
The sheriff’s office then searched the village and found Cottrell’s body, Shaffer said. His service weapon and cruiser were missing.
Officials said Jones was taken into custody around 1:30 a.m. Monday after a short foot chase after he was spotted running from a home in Danville.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was still collecting evidence Monday, and Cottrell is scheduled for an autopsy Tuesday in Licking County.
Jones was being held Monday for violating the conditions of his release from prison last year. McConville said that’s enough to hold him until he is formally charged.
The president of the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police called Cottrell’s killing an assassination.
“We ask all Ohioans to pray for peace and healing for Officer Cottrell’s family, friends and co-workers,” Jay McDonald said in a written statement.
“His assassination is the latest reminder of how dangerous police work is and how the police are targeted for violence,” McDonald said.
As the news of Cottrell's death spreads, Giles said he's seen numerous Facebook posts honoring his friend. Many people have posted Cottrell's photo or the Danville Police Department logo covered with a blue line, which commemorates fallen officers.
A GoFundMe.com page set up in memory of Cottrell on Monday morning had raised about $5,200 by 6 p.m.
"Many people are saying he was a good guy, but an even better officer," Giles said.
Despite all the difficult things police officers have to do, Cottrell was able to maintain his happy attitude and sense of humor, he said.
"It takes a good officer to do that because a lot of them, the job eats them up," he said.
Cottrell is survived by his friends and family, including his girlfriend and his daughters, ages 13, 14 and 16.
He treated his three girls like princesses and was devoted to his mother and his family, said Anna Montgomery, the mother of his daughters.
"He was a loving man," she said. "He was very proud of being a police officer and being able to serve and protect."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
[email protected] 2/19/2016
He was born August 22, 1981 in Newark, Ohio. He was a 2000 graduate of Newark High School and received his degree in Criminal Justice from COTC in 2002.After graduation Tommy began his career in law enforcement.
Tommy is survived by life partner Tanya Rayburn; loving mother Melissa Osborn of Ohio; daughters Courtney, Brooklyn and Alycia Cottrell; step sons Cody and Trevor Elliott; sister Nicole (Donald) Kohlmier of GA and nephew Luca; maternal grandmother Linda Thwaits as well as many friends.
Tommy was preceded in death by his grandfather Thomas Thwaits.
Funeral services for Officer Cottrell will be held on the campus of OSU/COTC - Adena Hall, Newark 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 23, 2016. Interment will follow at Wilson Cemetery.
The family will receive friends and acquaintances 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Friday at Brucker-Kishler Funeral Home, 985 N 21st Street, Newark.In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in the name of Tom Cottrell Jr. for a COTC Scholarship Fund for those involved in law enforcement is being established C/O First Knox Bank.Online condolences to the family may be sent via www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com
*************
Police Officer Thomas Cottrell was shot and killed from ambush behind the village's municipal building shortly after 11:00 pm.
At approximately 11:20 pm dispatchers received a call from a female subject stating that police officers in Danville were in danger. She stated her boyfriend was armed and intended to kill a police officer.
Dispatchers were unable to reach Officer Cottrell on the radio. A massive search was initiated involving officers from other nearby agencies. His body was found behind the village's municipal building approximately 30 minutes later. His service weapon and patrol card had been stolen.
Officers took the suspect into custody at approximately 1:30 am after spotting him running from a home in the village.
Please contact the following agency to send condolences or to obtain funeral arrangements:
Police Chief Daniel Weckesser
Danville Police Department
512 Market Street
Danville, OH 43014
Phone: (740) 599-6888
Source: Officer Down Memorial Page
"When a police officer is killed, it's not an agency that loses an officer, it's an entire nation." -Chris Cosgriff, ODMP Founder
*******
NEWARK - It had been a while since Ed Giles had talked to Tom Cottrell Jr.
But when you've been friends since middle school, it's easy to pick things up, no matter where you left off.
That's what happened a few weeks ago when Cottrell messaged Giles on his birthday. The two about getting a beer to catch up.
So Giles didn't believe it when his brother-in-law contacted him to tell him Cottrell had been killed.
"We've known each other for years," Giles said. "It just didn't seem possible."
An officer with the Danville Police Department, Cottrell was shot Sunday. His body was discovered behind the Danville municipal building, and a suspect, Herschel Ray Jones, is in custody.
Officer Thomas Cottrell was killed by a 32-year-old man Sunday night. WKYC
Knox County Prosecutor Chip McConville said he expects a murder charge will be filed against Jones.
Although he lived in Danville at the time of his death, Cottrell was known by many in Licking County, where he grew up and went to school.
Bobbi Broughton first met Cottrell when he was a fifth-grader at Cherry Valley Elementary School. She was in high school and was helping in his creative writing class.
Years later, she and Cottrell reconnected, and she was thrilled to find out he hadn't lost his positive qualities.
"He was kind, gentle and goofy," she wrote in an email. "He loved his friends and family fiercely."
Giles met Cottrell in middle school, and they both sang in the Newark High School choir under the direction of Kim and Mike Wigglesworth.
"What I remember is, he just had a huge smile," Mike Wigglesworth said.
Giles graduated from Newark High School in 1999, and Cottrell graduated in 2000. Both men attended the police academy at Central Ohio Technical College.
Giles decided to go in a different direction, but Cottrell had found his calling in law enforcement.
A Danville police officer was killed by a 32-year-old man Sunday night. WKYC
"He was pretty serious about it," Giles said. "He knew what he wanted to do."
Nick Garver, of Madison Township, met Cottrell when he was working as a security officer at Longaberger.
"He was always a happy guy who would joke around and he genuinely cared about people," Garver wrote in a Facebook message. "That drove him to law enforcement."
Garver worked with him at the Thornville Police Department before Cottrell went on to work at the Shawnee Police Department.
Cottrell also took on an unpaid, auxiliary position at the Frazeyzburg Police Department, where Garver was working as the police chief.
"That further shows his character, being willing to work for free," Garver wrote.
He later took a job with the Utica Police Department. On Monday, the department posted a memorial on its Facebook page.
"I will always remember his huge smile and his laugh," the post said. "He said in his resignation, 'Utica has been a crucial piece of my future so I have no regrets about my time here. I hope for the continued success of all officers and also their safety. I will always be there for them when the call to service is needed. I refuse to let my brothers in blue down ...' "
Cottrell worked for the Utica department until 2014.
"He cared for his comrades, this community and he always enjoyed being a police officer," the post said. "God bless you Officer Cottrell, may you walk the streets with Saint Michael and patrol your new jurisdiction in Heaven."
Cottrell's body was discovered about 20 minutes after Jones' ex-girlfriend called dispatchers Sunday night to report that officers in Danville were in danger, Knox County Sheriff David Shaffer said.
She reportedly told dispatchers Jones was looking to kill police officers.
Shaffer said dispatchers tried to make contact with Cottrell after receiving the tip around 11:20 p.m., but they couldn’t reach him.
The sheriff’s office then searched the village and found Cottrell’s body, Shaffer said. His service weapon and cruiser were missing.
Officials said Jones was taken into custody around 1:30 a.m. Monday after a short foot chase after he was spotted running from a home in Danville.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was still collecting evidence Monday, and Cottrell is scheduled for an autopsy Tuesday in Licking County.
Jones was being held Monday for violating the conditions of his release from prison last year. McConville said that’s enough to hold him until he is formally charged.
The president of the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police called Cottrell’s killing an assassination.
“We ask all Ohioans to pray for peace and healing for Officer Cottrell’s family, friends and co-workers,” Jay McDonald said in a written statement.
“His assassination is the latest reminder of how dangerous police work is and how the police are targeted for violence,” McDonald said.
As the news of Cottrell's death spreads, Giles said he's seen numerous Facebook posts honoring his friend. Many people have posted Cottrell's photo or the Danville Police Department logo covered with a blue line, which commemorates fallen officers.
A GoFundMe.com page set up in memory of Cottrell on Monday morning had raised about $5,200 by 6 p.m.
"Many people are saying he was a good guy, but an even better officer," Giles said.
Despite all the difficult things police officers have to do, Cottrell was able to maintain his happy attitude and sense of humor, he said.
"It takes a good officer to do that because a lot of them, the job eats them up," he said.
Cottrell is survived by his friends and family, including his girlfriend and his daughters, ages 13, 14 and 16.
He treated his three girls like princesses and was devoted to his mother and his family, said Anna Montgomery, the mother of his daughters.
"He was a loving man," she said. "He was very proud of being a police officer and being able to serve and protect."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
[email protected] 2/19/2016
DANVILLE: Officer Thomas W. (Tommy) Cottrell Jr., age 34, passed away on January 17, 2016 in Danville, Ohio in the line of duty.
He was born August 22, 1981 in Newark, Ohio. He was a 2000 graduate of Newark High School and received his degree in Criminal Justice from COTC in 2002.After graduation Tommy began his career in law enforcement.
Tommy is survived by life partner Tanya Rayburn; loving mother Melissa Osborn of Ohio; daughters Courtney, Brooklyn and Alycia Cottrell; step sons Cody and Trevor Elliott; sister Nicole (Donald) Kohlmier of GA and nephew Luca; maternal grandmother Linda Thwaits as well as many friends.
Tommy was preceded in death by his grandfather Thomas Thwaits.
Funeral services for Officer Cottrell will be held on the campus of OSU/COTC - Adena Hall, Newark 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 23, 2016. Interment will follow at Wilson Cemetery.
The family will receive friends and acquaintances 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Friday at Brucker-Kishler Funeral Home, 985 N 21st Street, Newark.In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in the name of Tom Cottrell Jr. for a COTC Scholarship Fund for those involved in law enforcement is being established C/O First Knox Bank.Online condolences to the family may be sent via www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com
*************
Police Officer Thomas Cottrell was shot and killed from ambush behind the village's municipal building shortly after 11:00 pm.
At approximately 11:20 pm dispatchers received a call from a female subject stating that police officers in Danville were in danger. She stated her boyfriend was armed and intended to kill a police officer.
Dispatchers were unable to reach Officer Cottrell on the radio. A massive search was initiated involving officers from other nearby agencies. His body was found behind the village's municipal building approximately 30 minutes later. His service weapon and patrol card had been stolen.
Officers took the suspect into custody at approximately 1:30 am after spotting him running from a home in the village.
Please contact the following agency to send condolences or to obtain funeral arrangements:
Police Chief Daniel Weckesser
Danville Police Department
512 Market Street
Danville, OH 43014
Phone: (740) 599-6888
Source: Officer Down Memorial Page
"When a police officer is killed, it's not an agency that loses an officer, it's an entire nation." -Chris Cosgriff, ODMP Founder
*******
NEWARK - It had been a while since Ed Giles had talked to Tom Cottrell Jr.
But when you've been friends since middle school, it's easy to pick things up, no matter where you left off.
That's what happened a few weeks ago when Cottrell messaged Giles on his birthday. The two about getting a beer to catch up.
So Giles didn't believe it when his brother-in-law contacted him to tell him Cottrell had been killed.
"We've known each other for years," Giles said. "It just didn't seem possible."
An officer with the Danville Police Department, Cottrell was shot Sunday. His body was discovered behind the Danville municipal building, and a suspect, Herschel Ray Jones, is in custody.
Officer Thomas Cottrell was killed by a 32-year-old man Sunday night. WKYC
Knox County Prosecutor Chip McConville said he expects a murder charge will be filed against Jones.
Although he lived in Danville at the time of his death, Cottrell was known by many in Licking County, where he grew up and went to school.
Bobbi Broughton first met Cottrell when he was a fifth-grader at Cherry Valley Elementary School. She was in high school and was helping in his creative writing class.
Years later, she and Cottrell reconnected, and she was thrilled to find out he hadn't lost his positive qualities.
"He was kind, gentle and goofy," she wrote in an email. "He loved his friends and family fiercely."
Giles met Cottrell in middle school, and they both sang in the Newark High School choir under the direction of Kim and Mike Wigglesworth.
"What I remember is, he just had a huge smile," Mike Wigglesworth said.
Giles graduated from Newark High School in 1999, and Cottrell graduated in 2000. Both men attended the police academy at Central Ohio Technical College.
Giles decided to go in a different direction, but Cottrell had found his calling in law enforcement.
A Danville police officer was killed by a 32-year-old man Sunday night. WKYC
"He was pretty serious about it," Giles said. "He knew what he wanted to do."
Nick Garver, of Madison Township, met Cottrell when he was working as a security officer at Longaberger.
"He was always a happy guy who would joke around and he genuinely cared about people," Garver wrote in a Facebook message. "That drove him to law enforcement."
Garver worked with him at the Thornville Police Department before Cottrell went on to work at the Shawnee Police Department.
Cottrell also took on an unpaid, auxiliary position at the Frazeyzburg Police Department, where Garver was working as the police chief.
"That further shows his character, being willing to work for free," Garver wrote.
He later took a job with the Utica Police Department. On Monday, the department posted a memorial on its Facebook page.
"I will always remember his huge smile and his laugh," the post said. "He said in his resignation, 'Utica has been a crucial piece of my future so I have no regrets about my time here. I hope for the continued success of all officers and also their safety. I will always be there for them when the call to service is needed. I refuse to let my brothers in blue down ...' "
Cottrell worked for the Utica department until 2014.
"He cared for his comrades, this community and he always enjoyed being a police officer," the post said. "God bless you Officer Cottrell, may you walk the streets with Saint Michael and patrol your new jurisdiction in Heaven."
Cottrell's body was discovered about 20 minutes after Jones' ex-girlfriend called dispatchers Sunday night to report that officers in Danville were in danger, Knox County Sheriff David Shaffer said.
She reportedly told dispatchers Jones was looking to kill police officers.
Shaffer said dispatchers tried to make contact with Cottrell after receiving the tip around 11:20 p.m., but they couldn’t reach him.
The sheriff’s office then searched the village and found Cottrell’s body, Shaffer said. His service weapon and cruiser were missing.
Officials said Jones was taken into custody around 1:30 a.m. Monday after a short foot chase after he was spotted running from a home in Danville.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was still collecting evidence Monday, and Cottrell is scheduled for an autopsy Tuesday in Licking County.
Jones was being held Monday for violating the conditions of his release from prison last year. McConville said that’s enough to hold him until he is formally charged.
The president of the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police called Cottrell’s killing an assassination.
“We ask all Ohioans to pray for peace and healing for Officer Cottrell’s family, friends and co-workers,” Jay McDonald said in a written statement.
“His assassination is the latest reminder of how dangerous police work is and how the police are targeted for violence,” McDonald said.
As the news of Cottrell's death spreads, Giles said he's seen numerous Facebook posts honoring his friend. Many people have posted Cottrell's photo or the Danville Police Department logo covered with a blue line, which commemorates fallen officers.
A GoFundMe.com page set up in memory of Cottrell on Monday morning had raised about $5,200 by 6 p.m.
"Many people are saying he was a good guy, but an even better officer," Giles said.
Despite all the difficult things police officers have to do, Cottrell was able to maintain his happy attitude and sense of humor, he said.
"It takes a good officer to do that because a lot of them, the job eats them up," he said.
Cottrell is survived by his friends and family, including his girlfriend and his daughters, ages 13, 14 and 16.
He treated his three girls like princesses and was devoted to his mother and his family, said Anna Montgomery, the mother of his daughters.
"He was a loving man," she said. "He was very proud of being a police officer and being able to serve and protect."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
[email protected] 2/19/2016
He was born August 22, 1981 in Newark, Ohio. He was a 2000 graduate of Newark High School and received his degree in Criminal Justice from COTC in 2002.After graduation Tommy began his career in law enforcement.
Tommy is survived by life partner Tanya Rayburn; loving mother Melissa Osborn of Ohio; daughters Courtney, Brooklyn and Alycia Cottrell; step sons Cody and Trevor Elliott; sister Nicole (Donald) Kohlmier of GA and nephew Luca; maternal grandmother Linda Thwaits as well as many friends.
Tommy was preceded in death by his grandfather Thomas Thwaits.
Funeral services for Officer Cottrell will be held on the campus of OSU/COTC - Adena Hall, Newark 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 23, 2016. Interment will follow at Wilson Cemetery.
The family will receive friends and acquaintances 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Friday at Brucker-Kishler Funeral Home, 985 N 21st Street, Newark.In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in the name of Tom Cottrell Jr. for a COTC Scholarship Fund for those involved in law enforcement is being established C/O First Knox Bank.Online condolences to the family may be sent via www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com
*************
Police Officer Thomas Cottrell was shot and killed from ambush behind the village's municipal building shortly after 11:00 pm.
At approximately 11:20 pm dispatchers received a call from a female subject stating that police officers in Danville were in danger. She stated her boyfriend was armed and intended to kill a police officer.
Dispatchers were unable to reach Officer Cottrell on the radio. A massive search was initiated involving officers from other nearby agencies. His body was found behind the village's municipal building approximately 30 minutes later. His service weapon and patrol card had been stolen.
Officers took the suspect into custody at approximately 1:30 am after spotting him running from a home in the village.
Please contact the following agency to send condolences or to obtain funeral arrangements:
Police Chief Daniel Weckesser
Danville Police Department
512 Market Street
Danville, OH 43014
Phone: (740) 599-6888
Source: Officer Down Memorial Page
"When a police officer is killed, it's not an agency that loses an officer, it's an entire nation." -Chris Cosgriff, ODMP Founder
*******
NEWARK - It had been a while since Ed Giles had talked to Tom Cottrell Jr.
But when you've been friends since middle school, it's easy to pick things up, no matter where you left off.
That's what happened a few weeks ago when Cottrell messaged Giles on his birthday. The two about getting a beer to catch up.
So Giles didn't believe it when his brother-in-law contacted him to tell him Cottrell had been killed.
"We've known each other for years," Giles said. "It just didn't seem possible."
An officer with the Danville Police Department, Cottrell was shot Sunday. His body was discovered behind the Danville municipal building, and a suspect, Herschel Ray Jones, is in custody.
Officer Thomas Cottrell was killed by a 32-year-old man Sunday night. WKYC
Knox County Prosecutor Chip McConville said he expects a murder charge will be filed against Jones.
Although he lived in Danville at the time of his death, Cottrell was known by many in Licking County, where he grew up and went to school.
Bobbi Broughton first met Cottrell when he was a fifth-grader at Cherry Valley Elementary School. She was in high school and was helping in his creative writing class.
Years later, she and Cottrell reconnected, and she was thrilled to find out he hadn't lost his positive qualities.
"He was kind, gentle and goofy," she wrote in an email. "He loved his friends and family fiercely."
Giles met Cottrell in middle school, and they both sang in the Newark High School choir under the direction of Kim and Mike Wigglesworth.
"What I remember is, he just had a huge smile," Mike Wigglesworth said.
Giles graduated from Newark High School in 1999, and Cottrell graduated in 2000. Both men attended the police academy at Central Ohio Technical College.
Giles decided to go in a different direction, but Cottrell had found his calling in law enforcement.
A Danville police officer was killed by a 32-year-old man Sunday night. WKYC
"He was pretty serious about it," Giles said. "He knew what he wanted to do."
Nick Garver, of Madison Township, met Cottrell when he was working as a security officer at Longaberger.
"He was always a happy guy who would joke around and he genuinely cared about people," Garver wrote in a Facebook message. "That drove him to law enforcement."
Garver worked with him at the Thornville Police Department before Cottrell went on to work at the Shawnee Police Department.
Cottrell also took on an unpaid, auxiliary position at the Frazeyzburg Police Department, where Garver was working as the police chief.
"That further shows his character, being willing to work for free," Garver wrote.
He later took a job with the Utica Police Department. On Monday, the department posted a memorial on its Facebook page.
"I will always remember his huge smile and his laugh," the post said. "He said in his resignation, 'Utica has been a crucial piece of my future so I have no regrets about my time here. I hope for the continued success of all officers and also their safety. I will always be there for them when the call to service is needed. I refuse to let my brothers in blue down ...' "
Cottrell worked for the Utica department until 2014.
"He cared for his comrades, this community and he always enjoyed being a police officer," the post said. "God bless you Officer Cottrell, may you walk the streets with Saint Michael and patrol your new jurisdiction in Heaven."
Cottrell's body was discovered about 20 minutes after Jones' ex-girlfriend called dispatchers Sunday night to report that officers in Danville were in danger, Knox County Sheriff David Shaffer said.
She reportedly told dispatchers Jones was looking to kill police officers.
Shaffer said dispatchers tried to make contact with Cottrell after receiving the tip around 11:20 p.m., but they couldn’t reach him.
The sheriff’s office then searched the village and found Cottrell’s body, Shaffer said. His service weapon and cruiser were missing.
Officials said Jones was taken into custody around 1:30 a.m. Monday after a short foot chase after he was spotted running from a home in Danville.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was still collecting evidence Monday, and Cottrell is scheduled for an autopsy Tuesday in Licking County.
Jones was being held Monday for violating the conditions of his release from prison last year. McConville said that’s enough to hold him until he is formally charged.
The president of the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police called Cottrell’s killing an assassination.
“We ask all Ohioans to pray for peace and healing for Officer Cottrell’s family, friends and co-workers,” Jay McDonald said in a written statement.
“His assassination is the latest reminder of how dangerous police work is and how the police are targeted for violence,” McDonald said.
As the news of Cottrell's death spreads, Giles said he's seen numerous Facebook posts honoring his friend. Many people have posted Cottrell's photo or the Danville Police Department logo covered with a blue line, which commemorates fallen officers.
A GoFundMe.com page set up in memory of Cottrell on Monday morning had raised about $5,200 by 6 p.m.
"Many people are saying he was a good guy, but an even better officer," Giles said.
Despite all the difficult things police officers have to do, Cottrell was able to maintain his happy attitude and sense of humor, he said.
"It takes a good officer to do that because a lot of them, the job eats them up," he said.
Cottrell is survived by his friends and family, including his girlfriend and his daughters, ages 13, 14 and 16.
He treated his three girls like princesses and was devoted to his mother and his family, said Anna Montgomery, the mother of his daughters.
"He was a loving man," she said. "He was very proud of being a police officer and being able to serve and protect."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
[email protected] 2/19/2016
