Endicott community commemorates Sergeant’s death as students return to classrooms
The Endicott community will gather Monday morning to remember and honor fallen campus police Sergeant Jeremy Cole, who was killed in a crash involving a wrong-way driver on Thanksgiving morning.
In a letter to the university community, Endicott President Steven R. DiSalvo said Cole, 49, of Exeter, New Hampshire, was a “beloved and dedicated” member of our Campus Public Safety and Police Department for the past 15 years.
“Jeremy was an integral part of the Endicott family, and his impact on our community will be felt for years to come,” DiSalvo said in the letter. “In addition to his professional contributions, Jeremy was a kind and compassionate person, deeply committed to his family and our campus.”
Endicott hosts community meeting after ‘tragic loss’ of beloved police sergeant on campus
Cole was on his way home early from the university’s campus in Beverly when a wrong-way driver in a Tesla struck his Chevrolet Trailblazer on Interstate 95 in Newbury, according to Massachusetts State Police.
The Tesla driver, a man in his 40s from southeastern Massachusetts, was flown to a hospital in Boston with serious injuries. He is expected to face charges, which will be announced at a later date. His current condition is unknown at this time.
Students who knew Cole have since launched a GoFundMe to support his family. More than $60,000 has been raised.
“I didn’t think it was real when I first saw it,” said Ben Fridlington, a student at Endicott. “It will never be the same without him.”
DiSalvois invites students and faculty for a community gathering at the Center for Belonging at 9 a.m. Monday for coffee, tea and pastries to grieve the “tragic loss” of Cole.
Cole is survived by his wife, Laura, their four children and his parents, Richard and Brenda. DiSalvo said he was recently honored for saving the life of the university’s assistant softball coach, David Bettencourt.
State police detectives assigned to the Essex District Attorney’s Office are leading an investigation into the crash.
This is a development story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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