By Michael McHugh and Caroline Enos
Gloucester Daily Times, Mass.
BEVERLY, Mass. — An Endicott College police officer was killed early Thanksgiving morning on his way home from his evening shift after his vehicle was struck head-on by a vehicle driving the wrong way on Interstate 95 northbound in Newbury.
The officer was indentified as Sgt. Jeremy Cole by Endicott police Chief Kerry Ramsdell in a statement issued later that morning.
Cole was a dedicated police officer at Endicott for 15 years, the college said.
“Jeremy’s kindness, professionalism and unwavering commitment to our community will never be forgotten,” according to the statement.
“On behalf of the Public Safety & Police Department at Endicott College , I wish to express our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the family of Sgt. Cole,” Ramsdell said.
The crash occurred shortly after midnight near exit 81, Newbury fire Chief Dave Evans said in a press statement.
A man driving the wrong way had slammed into Cole’s vehicle, trapping them both inside of their cars and leading first responders to carry out a nearly hour-long process to free them, Evans said.
It was not immediately clear if any charges have been filed against the surviving driver.
“This is an incredibly difficult time for our department. We are heartbroken by this unimaginable loss,” Ramsdell said. “Sgt. Cole was not only a dedicated public servant and prior recipient of a lifesaving award, but also a cherished member of our team.”
“On this Thanksgiving Day, our hearts are with the family, friends, and loved ones of a police officer who reported for duty keeping the rest of us safe and secure but did not return home. We are committed to supporting them in any way we can through this unimaginable grief,” she said.
Ramsdell said that on behalf of Cole’s family, they ask the public to respect the privacy of his family as they “navigate this painful time.”
The campus is currently closed, and the media was asked to not visit the campus.
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