Police departments across Maine took to social media Wednesday to express their anger and sense of loss over the fatal shooting of Somerset County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Eugene Cole.

Several police departments used Facebook to post a photograph of Cole and his alleged killer, 29-year-old John Williams.

“Today is a sad day in Maine, as we have lost a hero,” Westbrook police said in a Facebook post. “Officers will be wearing mourning bands in remembrance of Corporal Cole until he is laid to rest.”

Bangor Police Lt. Tim Cotton, who has been praised for his Facebook messages, posted a lengthy description as well as photographs of Williams.

“While these posts are typically robotic in nature, we are saddened by the loss of a life well-lived,” Cotton said.

Augusta police wrote on Facebook: “Our hearts go out to the family and friends and all of law enforcement today in the shooting death of our brother Deputy Eugene Cole. No words.”

And the Scarborough Police Department noted in a Facebook post that 46 officers have been killed in the United States this year in the line of duty, including five officers, who were shot and killed in the past two weeks.

“It’s a sad time for law enforcement everywhere,” Scarborough police said. “There are people in this country, state and even our town that want to tear down or hurt police officers, simply for the job they are sworn to do.”

Scarborough’s Facebook post urges the public to thank officers for doing a good job and offered a few words of advice to officers.

“Do not lose sight of how quickly this can happen. Keep your heads on a swivel and have each other’s back.”

Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:

dhoey@pressherald.com

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