Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the family of Detective Sergeant Tom Cochran. All of you are in our prayers and may God Bless you with the strength to carry on. We have lost a brother and from reading the reflections a fine officer who lived by the oath of a Police Officer to serve and protect. May God Bless All of You and Keep You In the Palm of His Hand. And to you Tom your legacy lives on with the officers that you have trained and imparted your knowledge to. We have lost you a loving warrior but others benefitted from knowing you. You will be missed but never forgotten.

Detective Darron Sparks
Anderson Indiana Police Department

April 18, 2005

Tom, I was working the night of the accident. I remember hearing the radio traffic from District 15 about the alarm at Lowes and then the suicidal subject. Then the call for a negotiator. Soon after, the awful silence. Later when I made the call to APD, to find out what happened, and being told that you were in an accident and it didn't look good. My heart sank.
My God how could this be, why were you working in the middle of the night, you're a detective. Then I thought that's what YOU do.
I'll always remember your memorial service, trying to keep back the tears, when I knew all to well that it wasn't working. Then on US 50 during the procession looking in both directions as far as I could see, nothing but police cars. Then reading all the signs in front of the businesses. Hearing WSCH dedicate 'Some gave all', that was it, tears again. Then at the cemetery, hearing the bagpipes...
Tom it is an honor to have known you. The mourning band may be off my badge now, but your memory will always be behind it. God bless you

Officer Rick Miller
Rising Sun Police Department

April 15, 2005

hi daddy,
i hope your watching over us! i miss u so much! but i still love you more and i always will! i went on the poker run and rode for the first time! i loved it daddy! even though i still wish my first ride was with you on your bike i still liked that i rode FOR you! i dont look at your favorite chair the same way i used to you were always in it! my birthdays will never be the same, you always bringing me flowers for me! i wish i told you more times of how much i loved you! i am so proud of what you did for us and i am SO thankful for knowing you!i am so proud to say that u were MY father! thank you for EVERYTHING!! just like i ALWAYS told you, you are the best father and i wouldnt trade you or replace you for the world! you know that! well i love you so much with all my heart !
your baby girl,
jessica**

jessica cochran, daughter

April 14, 2005

I grew up in Aurora and moved to Texas where I am now a police officer. I did not know Sgt.Cochran well, but knew his good name. May God bless his family!

Patrol Officer Angie Trentman
League City Police Dept., Texas

April 11, 2005

God Bless Sergeant Cochran,his families and the Lawrenceburg Police Department!You will be missed by ALL and forgotten by NONE!My Thoughts and Prayers are with Sergeant Cochran,His families,and this Department!Thank you Brother for Service well done,Rest In Peace now as the rest of your Law Enforcement Brothers and Sisters will continue the fight on the Streets for You as You Patrol the streets of Heaven until we see you again !

Deputy Sheriff
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office , Louisville Kentucky

April 1, 2005

daddy,
i love u so much! i still miss you so0o0o badly! watch over us. i love u so0o0o much daddy there is no words in this WORLD that could EVER describe how much i loved u ! or how i feel even today after 2 months later! happy easter daddy!
your baby girl, Jess*

Jessica cochran,daughter

March 31, 2005

HAPPY EASTER THOMAS

March 27, 2005

When i heard about the news of Detective Cochran i couldnt beleive it. I dont understand how someone so important and such a HERO can be taken from us just like that. I wish i would of had the honor of knowing you more but hearing stories from Josh and everyone around me i just realize what an awesome guy you were. God bless you and your family. You will NEVER be forgotten. Someone as wonderful as you never could. Thank you for your services you did for our community. We couldnt thank you enough.I beleive in everything happens for a reason but i dont understand why you were taken away from the people who love you so much. Rest in peace Tom.

Anonymous

March 23, 2005

I THANK BROTHER COCHRAN FOR HIS SERVICE AS A POLICE OFFICER.MAY GOD COMFORT HIS FAMILY AND FRIEND'S IN THIS DIFFICULT TIME

CPL JEFF MARKLEY
ROCHESTER IN P.D.

March 22, 2005

Detective Cochran, I wish that I could say that I knew you well during my 2 years working in the Dearborn County jail, but I didn't. I knew all about you from the people that I worked with and the officers who came into booking. The only real memory I have of you is you smiling. I do remember you coming into the jail and you were always so kind to us rookies and showed us all respect. You are an officer who was immediately respected and liked. I wish I could have worked more closely with you. I may not have known you well, but we're bound by a badge and I feel your loss. May God bless you and your family.

Sgt. Mike Stone
Forest Park Police Dept

March 18, 2005

daddy,
almost 2 months now and i still cry about your loss through the night! i hope i will see you in flordia for spring break and start that motorcycle because we will ride togather through the wind. i love u sooo much no words could ever describe! my love your daughter jess.

jessica,daughter

March 17, 2005

This past month i have learned that Tom was a great guy. I wish i had the pleasure of meeting him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Tom please say "hello" to my friend Adam. I know you both are looking down on all of us. God bless you Tom and your family.

Anoyomous

March 16, 2005

HEROES,

The one word everyone use’s to describe someone who risked his life for another. They say we are all heroes in some way or another. Knowing Tom for several years I think of him as a HERO AND MORE. Tom was much more to me. Tom was a teacher, friend, leader, and someone I looked up to. I have been very sad to hear of his accident. I tried to write sooner but just could not do it. I find comfort in knowing that although we will miss him. God will enjoy his company. I will not morn his loss long, but celebrate the fact I knew him and will always be thankful for his being my HERO.

To Tom’s wife and family, thank you for allowing Tom to guide others and me. Tom was always willing to help his fellow law enforcement officers.

I worked in Law Enforcement and emergency services for many years. I remember the days working with Tom at the DCLEC, I also worked in another city police department. Over the years I saw the best and worst law enforcement has to offer. I can say with out hesitation Tom was one of the best.

To all the officers and friends who know me, NEVER FORGET. - PROTECT AND SERVE

Roger Maucher
[email protected]

Roger Maucher Former Sgt.
BPD

March 16, 2005

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of Detective Cochran.

While I did not have the privilege to have known him personally, I am certain that he has found a place in heaven. Rest in peace my friend; those of us who remain will cover your post on the thin blue line.

Anonymous

March 7, 2005

From all at the WPD we say God Bless, your sacrafice will not be forgotten.

Officer
Wichita Police Department, Wichita, Kansas

March 7, 2005

My fiancé, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in southeast Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Thomas did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Thomas be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Detective Cochran's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Thomas is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Thomas was well respected and well loved. Thomas sounds like an amazing man. You were blessed to have had him in your life, even for a short time.

Thank you Detective Cochran for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiancé Dennis for me.

Wishing you brighter and better days,

Jocelyne

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancee of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

March 6, 2005

My Prayers go out to Tom's Family,also his Law Enforcement Family. I never Knew Tom personnaly. As a Law Enforcement officer one thing is true Tom had a love for his family along with his job. May GOD be with Tom's Extended Family for all the day's to come and comfort them. Tom will always live on in the memory of the one's he touched.

Adv EVO Inst Cpl.J.Grisafi
Hammond In, Police Department

March 3, 2005

My prayers and thoughts go out to Tom's family and friends. I didnt really know Tom but i attend school with his son Josh. Tom seemed like a great guy and he will be missed so much.I trully miss him and i really didnt know him. Tom you will NEVER be forgotten.

Ananoymous

March 2, 2005

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death and though I mark on duty, my calls unknown, I fear no evil, for the majority are with me, nor do I worry of my own safety, all of this I do for the citizens of my community.

Rest in peace and may your family find comfort in knowing that you are always near.

Deputy Robert Craig
Boone County Sheriff Dept.

March 2, 2005

God bless you and your family.

wife of former officer
Douglasville, GA

March 1, 2005

daddy,
I just want you to know im still very much thinking of you and I always will. You were my hero! I still want you to come back to me.You used to be one call away or the next room down at our house, but now it is quiet I don't hear your spoon clinging in the coffee mug early in the morning anymore. I still cry about your loss and I just want to reach out and feel your hand or your bald head. I can't believe it happened so fast.I feel like I blinked and then you were gone. I still worry if you are "okay". I understand that you are gone. Everyone says it will be alright but I know inside it won't because I am a lost girl without you! I still dream about you through the night. At school everytime I go into the office I keep thinking you will be standing there with flowers in your hands. I have that image just haunting me. I still try to do my best and be like you and try to make it RIGHT! The only thing is is that I pretend to be myself when I could just brake down inside because I know we can't do it without you and I finally found out the truth that you were the one who kept us together. It has been a wake up call to us! Dad you are my best friend, my father, and my HERO! The last words that came out of your mouth to me was "Jessica your doing great keep it up" I will I promise you that! I will make you so proud! I love you way too much! I miss you way too much! but I need you more!
Love you forever rest in peace father,
Jessica

Jessica Cochran, daughter

March 1, 2005

sorry i clicked to many things. Thats me these days..very aggitated. People are mad at me cause i guess i dont pay attention to them. I dont have much time for anything unless after school. Im trying my best to show you i can make myself sucessful and become a social worker so i can help kids and families like you did. I want to follow in your foot steps and help people. This is my fream and i want to prove to you that i can do it so im shaping up this last trimester of school. Im really sorry i havent showed you i care before and im sorry and i wish i could turn back time to rechange it and to help you. I love you and i want you to be here and heal moms wounds. Her wounds havent even started to heal. I wish you could make it better for her. She has been so depressed for the past month. I wish there was something i could do and help her in anyway i can. I will work on her and help her and i will submit more soon. I love you Grandpa and Miss you terriblly.
Much Love Always
Your Oldest Grandson
Zachary David Greathouse

Zachary Greathouse
Grandson

February 28, 2005

Grandpa,
Hello and how is it up there? Everything here has gone to hell in a hand basket. We all miss you and i want to turn back time and want it to be warm so me you and mom can go and ride. I miss that so much. I am waiting for my time to go and be with you again. I love you so much. It is snowing and freezing right now. My heart has turned this cold because when you left, I blocked out everyone. My heart is warming now and it rising cause i know now your there making it warm up.

Zachary Grewatrhouse
Grandson

February 28, 2005

Rest In Peace

Stewart Stilwell
Gibson County Sheriff Dept. -IN

February 28, 2005

Hi dad. I miss you and want to tell you that. We finally put your marker on your grave. I am going t go out there tomorrow. I wish I could turn back time. I still can not imagen how I will manage without you. Everything I see in this town somehow reminds me of you. I still wear my never forgotten pin every day. I miss you like you would not believe. I keep waiting for the weather to warm up so I can get the bike out though it sure will not be the same without you. Being together is what made it so much fun. You will always be with me. I cherish the times we had together and I will never forget all of our talks. I hope to see you in my dreams where we can talk again.
I love you.
Love,
Trace

Tracy Caswell
Daughter

February 25, 2005