BEVERLY — A fundraiser for the family of an Endicott College police officer who was killed in a wrong-way crash on Thanksgiving morning has raised about $90,000 in just four days.
Sgt. Jeremy Cole, 49, was killed shortly after midnight on Thursday morning when his vehicle was struck head-on by another car driving in the wrong direction on I-95 northbound in Newbury. He was on his way home to Exeter, New Hampshire, from an evening shift at the campus.
Cole leaves behind a wife and four children.
“I am heartbroken. No Endicott officer was more well known or loved across campus than Sgt. Cole,” Endicott College police Chief Kerry Ramsdell said in a post to the department’s Facebook page Friday.
“In his 15 years with us he was the model for community policing,” she said. “He used his talent for remembering people and his sense of humor, and leaned on his experience as a father of four, to break down barriers and connect with others.”
The campus’ public safety building was draped with purple and black striped banners Monday. Students could be seen bringing goods into the building like boxes of donuts and coffee for the department.
Across from the building, at the main entrance of Endicott’s campus, stood a large photo of Cole surrounded by flowers, crosses and other small tokens left by Endicott community members.
Cole was affectionately called “J Cole” by many students on campus, some of whom started the GoFundMe.com fundraiser for his family. They said he “was a great man and a symbol of what it means to protect and serve.
“He always made himself available to every student on campus, and made sure everyone knew they had his love and support no matter what the situation was,” the students wrote on the fundraiser’s webpage.
Student Affairs staff members were available Sunday to meet with students struggling with Cole’s death, and community members were invited to light candles and write letters to Cole’s family Sunday and Monday at the college’s Center for Belonging. The college also hosted a group meditation in Cole’s memory Monday.
A funeral service will be held at a later date.
“We are deeply moved by the posts, comments, and overwhelming outpouring of love and kindness,” Cole’s family wrote on the GoFundMe.com page. “Words cannot fully express our gratitude for the support we’ve received as we navigate the immense loss of Jeremy.
“He was cherished by so many, and it fills our hearts to see how many lives he touched in our community,” they said. “It’s clear he made a lasting impact and will never be forgotten.”
To donate to the Cole family, visit https://tinyurl.com/jeremycole.
Contact Caroline Enos at CEnos@northofboston.com.