Thomas Wayne Cottrell Jr., a 34-year-old male police officer from Danville, Ohio, tragically lost his life on January 17, 2016. Officer Cottrell was born on August 22, 1981, and was a dedicated member of the Danville Police Department. He was known for his commitment to serving and protecting his community.
On the night of his death, Officer Cottrell was ambushed and shot behind the village's municipal building. His service weapon and patrol car were stolen at the scene.
The incident occurred shortly after 11:00 PM, when Officer Cottrell's ex-girlfriend called 911 to warn that her boyfriend, Herschel Jones III, was armed and looking to kill a police officer. Despite the dispatcher's attempts to reach Officer Cottrell, he was found shot to death approximately 30 minutes later.
Herschel Jones III, a 32-year-old male with a lengthy criminal record, was taken into custody early the next morning after being spotted running from a home in the village. Jones later pleaded guilty to the aggravated murder of Officer Cottrell. In exchange for his guilty plea, the prosecution agreed to drop the death penalty, and Jones was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The loss of Officer Cottrell deeply affected his family, friends, and the entire community. His life partner, Tanya Elliott, described him as her best friend, soul mate, and role model for their children. Officer Cottrell's mother, Melissa Osborn, expressed her grief and called for no mercy to be shown to her son's killer. The officers who served alongside Cottrell honored his memory by wearing his unit number on their badges.
Officer Thomas Wayne Cottrell Jr.'s legacy of service and dedication to his community continues to be remembered and celebrated. His tragic death serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers and the profound impact their loss has on those they leave behind.
