DANVILLE – By the time 8 o’clock rolled around on Thursday night, snow had begun to accumulate on Danville’s sloping backroads.
It came down heavy. It was cold, with temperatures dipping below the 30-degree mark, and only getting colder.
That didn’t stop more than 30 community members from making their way to the parking lot of the Danville Municipal Building, where they honored former police officer Thomas Cottrell, who died tragically that same night – Jan. 17 – three years ago.
Three years later, the pain persists.
Tears flowed as Danville PD Sergeant Lisa Lyons read a letter to the crowd from Cottrell’s mother, Melissa Osborn, who couldn’t attend the ceremony.
Osborn thanked everyone for coming and spoke of Cottrell’s fun-loving attitude, his “ornery” smile, and the way he brought people together.
“How wonderfully blessed I am to have had him for 34 wonderful years. All the smiles, all the tears, all the fun, all the sarcasm and all that love. I would not trade a second of it,” Osborn wrote. “I always knew how wonderful he was – a little biased, yes, but I knew. How wonderful it is, hearing that so many others felt the same way.”
Lyons struggled to make it through the letter, choking up in between sentences as the falling snowflakes mixed with tears on her cheeks. She wasn’t alone. Their faces illuminated by handheld candles, community members in attendance dabbed tears away while Lyons shared the mother’s message.
“Please, if he touched you in a way that made you smile, remember that,” Osborn pleaded. “If one of his corny t-shirts made you laugh, remember that. If that rotten little smile of his made your smile a little bigger, remember that. If he made you want to live life long, remember that.
“There is a huge, painful void for many of us. But try to fill it with love and memories, and remember he’s always watching over us still. Danville has its own guardian angel.”
On a dark winter night, lights from police cruisers and fire trucks filled the Municipal Building’s parking lot. Members of the Mount Vernon Police Department, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Eastern Knox County Joint Fire District and the Mount Vernon Association of Police Chaplains attended the ceremony in support.
A blue light illuminated Cottrell’s memorial plaque, which rests on the building’s south exterior wall. Danville PD Corporal Kevin Henthorn told the crowd about how, in many ways, Cottrell served as a light himself – a ray of optimism and hope, someone who served as an example for others to follow.
“(Tom’s light) wasn’t extinguished when he was taken from us. It ignited some of our own light. It drew families together and ignited a light in all of us, to live a little better, to appreciate things a little more. And for his light, it now shines through those of us who he touched,” Henthorn said.
“We find Tom’s light burning bright and clear in his children, his family, his closest friends. And you can see Tom’s light in the eyes of anyone, any time his name is mentioned. The world needs more Toms. But leave here and walk every day in appreciation, that we were blessed to have Tom in our lives. We’re all better people for having had him in the time we did.”
Lyons said afterwards that, although the last three years have been trying for the department and community, these annual ceremonies have “helped tremendously” in the grieving process.
Community members hugged and exchanged well-wishes following the emotional ceremony, which concluded with a prayer.
It was a night of mourning for a village forever changed by what occurred on that same property three years prior. It was there where Cottrell, 34, was shot and killed in the line of duty on Jan. 17, 2016. He was shot by Herschel Ray Jones III, who had reportedly left his ex-girlfriend’s residence that night with the intent to kill a police officer, according to the 911 call made by the ex-girlfriend.
Less than 30 minutes after the call, deputies from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office found Cottrell deceased on the ground outside the Municipal Building with his service weapon and cruiser missing. Jones was taken into custody nearly two hours later after a short foot chase in the area of Danville Park.
In May 2017, Jones pleaded guilty to aggravated murder, grand theft, grand theft of a motor vehicle, tampering with evidence, kidnapping, and theft of a firearm. He was sentenced to life in prison plus 35 years.
Cottrell was a Newark native who began his career in law enforcement in 2002 after graduating from COTC. After his death, a COTC scholarship fund was established in his name.
The tragedy drew national attention and shook the Danville community to its core. Its lasting impact was shown on Thursday by the families who trudged through the snow to mourn Cottrell’s loss, proving once again he would never be forgotten.
Through all the pain and heartbreak, though, came strength. Henthorn called it “inspiring and encouraging” to see the community’s sustained support for its police department and for each other during the grieving process.
“Obviously, we’re all out here to remember Tom, but he’s not here. We are. And the best way to honor those who are no longer here is to support those that still are,” Henthorn said.
“So these folks coming out here, we know they’re here for us as law enforcement officers that still have to carry on. And that’s encouraging and very supportive, so we really appreciate that, as a community and a county of law enforcement.”
Henthorn knew Cottrell better than most. He, Danville PD Chief Dan Weckesser and Mount Vernon PD Officer Justin Trowbridge attended police academy training together nearly two decades ago, when the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 gave new meaning to the motto “protect and serve.”
Henthorn remembers each officer having to write an essay about why they wanted to serve in law enforcement – what it meant to them to protect others, and why it was important to them. He said he never got to read Cottrell’s essay, but it was likely “better than most.”
Through the pain and grief, Henthorn said his department has grown stronger. Like Lyons, he remained positive as he held back tears.
“When you lose one of your own, you lean on each other even more for support,” he said. “But it also sharpens you in a way that you want to make sure this never happens again.”
Henthorn thanked other local law enforcement entities, including the ones present on Thursday night, for their support over the last three years. He called the brotherhood “tight,” something the county is proud of.
Jerry Scott, a member of the Mount Vernon Association of Police Chaplains, agreed with Henthorn’s sentiment. He also pointed to the supportive relationship between residents and law enforcement in Knox County, which he said is unique.
“We do have a tremendous support in Knox County. We’re very blessed,” said Scott, who served in law enforcement for 52 years. “It is something that, in other counties in the state of Ohio, we do not have the respect we have in Knox County. And we have a great, close, fraternal relationship with the other officers and with the entire community of Knox County.”
As the night wound down, families wandered back to their cars. The snow began to taper off. Her tears dried, Lyons stood just a few feet away from Cottrell’s plaque, which bears his smiling portrait and his badge – Unit 373.
Lyons gathered herself and spoke softly. As hard as it was – as it probably always will be – she chose to look at the positives.
It’s what Cottrell would have wanted.
“I think even though it’s a horrible, horrible tragedy – and it’s sad that tragedies do bring communities closer, but that’s one thing that I’ve noticed,” said Lyons, thanking the community for its support on nights like this.
“They’re very supportive of us, and that’s something Tom would appreciate.”
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