SKOWHEGAN (NEWS CENTER Maine) — Sheriff's deputies from all over Maine are keeping watch at the funeral home where a body of Deputy Cpl. Gene Cole is awaiting burial.
Cpl. Cole was shot to death Wednesday in Norridgewock and a manhunt is currently underway for the suspected killer.
Cole's body was taken to the Smart & Edwards Funeral Home on Wednesday afternoon, and deputies have been there ever since.
Somerset County Chief Deputy Jim Ross said deputies from all of the other sheriff's departments in the state are taking turns standing guard at the funeral home, around the clock, as a way to honor Cole.
He is the first Maine police officer murdered in nearly 30 years.
No funeral arrangements have been announced yet. An official at the funeral home said they are trying to find a location large enough to handle the crowd expected to attend Cole's service, which could number in the thousands.