Washburn, Maine police officer, Sgt. Chandler Cole, has been charged with several crimes, including falsifying a report in a missing person case. He resigned after being charged with aggravated forgery, tampering with public records or information, falsifying physical evidence, and unsworn falsification. The charges stem from a missing person case where Cole claimed to have taken the missing man, Erik Foote, to a hospital, but he later told Foote’s parents he dropped him off at a convenience store. An investigation revealed that Cole altered his report to reflect a hospital drop-off, but there is no record of Foote being at the hospital. Foote has not been located, and the community of 1,500 people has organized search parties to look for him.
The Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office is now handling the investigation into Cole’s actions. The town of Washburn is in the process of deciding whether to keep a police department, as both the police chief and Cole have resigned, leaving only a young officer working elsewhere. Town Manager Donna Turner stated that for now, the Sheriff’s Office is providing coverage while Washburn remains without police. The case has raised concerns within the community, as residents rally to search for Foote and seek answers about the actions of the former police officer.
Cole declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press regarding the charges against him. The case has stirred up a significant amount of attention in Washburn, with the disappearance of Erik Foote and the allegations against Cole capturing the interest of the town’s residents. The charges of falsifying a report, forgery, and other crimes have cast a shadow over the former police officer’s actions and have prompted an investigation to uncover the truth behind the missing person case and the subsequent events surrounding it.
As the community of Washburn grapples with the disappearance of Foote and the actions of Cole, there is a sense of uncertainty and concern about the future of the police department. With the police chief retired and Cole no longer in his position, the town must decide on the best course of action for maintaining law enforcement coverage. The Sheriff’s Office stepping in to handle the investigation and provide coverage temporarily reflects the challenges facing Washburn in the aftermath of these events.
The case highlights the importance of integrity and honesty within law enforcement, as the allegations against Cole illustrate the serious consequences of falsifying reports and tampering with evidence. The community’s response, with residents organizing search parties and seeking answers, demonstrates the impact of such events on small towns like Washburn. As the investigation continues and efforts to locate Erik Foote persist, the town grapples with the aftermath of the actions of a former police officer and the uncertainty surrounding the future of its police department.
