Danville honors Officer Cottrell 10 years later, announces memorial park

DANVILLE — Ten years ago, Danville police officer Thomas Cottrell made the ultimate sacrifice for his community when he lost his life in the line of duty.

About 30 people braved the frigid temperatures and gathered outside the Danville Police Department’s building on Saturday night to honor the 10th anniversary of that tragic day.

Several police officers from Danville and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office offered their memories of Cottrell’s sense of humor, as well as where they were on the night of the incident.

Others who came from around the Knox County area shared personal stories, with one man detailing how Cottrell would throw a football with his kids on his way into work.

However, the most touching part of the night came from a letter Courtney Cottrell, one of Thomas’s daughters, read.

“Ten long years have passed, and at times, the pain feels as fresh as if we just lost him. At other moments, it seems like an eternity since we last felt his loving hugs or heard his voice,” Courtney Cottrell read.

“We miss his sarcasm, his laughter, his mischievous grin and every single thing about him. This year, our family is filled with some excitement as we anticipate the arrival of a new member. Tommy’s daughter, Alycia, is expecting, and we will soon welcome his first grandchild.”

The officer’s daughter continued by saying her family is sad that new family member won’t get to meet their grandfather, but they know he is watching from above.

“We are confident that he is still watching over, not only his family and loved ones, but all of Danville and everyone who knew him,” Courtney Cottrell said.

The crime

Herschel Jones III, 33 at the time, pleaded guilty in 2017 to aggravated murder, grand theft, grand theft of a motor vehicle, tampering with evidence, assault, aggravated burglary and kidnapping in Knox County Common Pleas Court. 

Jones shot and killed Cottrell, 34, on Jan. 17, 2016. Cottrell died of a single gunshot wound to the head. 

Judge Richard Wetzel sentenced Jones to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 35 years.

Mayor Joe Mazzari announces Thomas Cottrell Memorial Park

Officer Cottrell lost his life in the area behind Danville’s Municipal Building, and now, Mayor Joe Mazzari plans to give that area a happier connotation.

“There’s going to be a park. This park will be named after Tom, and this will connect the Mohican and Kokosing Gap trails together inside our village,” Mazzari said.

The mayor continued by saying that he hopes the roughly 1-acre park will bring families together with features like a picnic area, pavilion, play area, and possibly a pickleball court.

“When Tom lost his life, it was in that same general area. We want to try to change that feeling,” the mayor said.

Mazzari hoped to have the new park’s construction further along by the 10th anniversary, but he said the village still has some work to do.

“Phase One is starting this year, and maybe add in Phase Two. Phase One is bringing the asphalt trail from Market Street down around the back of the buildings into the park,” Mazzari said.

“It’s going to take us around to the back of the park area, into an area where we have to put a suspended walkway in, and then a bridge across the creek. So, the second piece of that is the suspended walkway to get it to the very back part of the park.”

The village’s mayor said the park’s funding is primarily coming from the Department of Developmental Disabilities, the community block grant and the Cottrell Memorial Fund.

The estimated cost for the project is around $400,000.

“This is a reminder of the dedication and willingness that Tom put in,” Mazzari said. “My heart goes out to Tom and his family, and knowing the dedication he had to put in.”

“It’s just a reminder of the time, the energy, the family time and ultimately his life that he lost while putting his time out there on the street.”